Recognizing the roles and contributions of United States service animals and their valiant human handlers for bravery in both war and peace, and acknowledging the importance of creating a process for honoring their valor and meritorious achievements.

Whereas the history of our Nation needs to comprise the social, economic, cultural, and medical contributions made by United States service animals and their human handlers, and should include stories of their valor, sacrifices, and meritorious achievements made on behalf of our freedom and safety; Whereas animals have made significant contributions to the peace and protection of our United States and were officially recognized by the Quartermaster Corps on March 13, 1942; Whereas there are currently over 3,000 military working dogs in the United States today, and there is an increasing demand for these military working dogs in the United States as a result of the proven worth and success in their various service and working capacities; Whereas, since September 11, 2001, Air Force security forces have trained approximately 500 military working dogs annually for the Department of Defense, and, according to the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Program, there are an estimated 2,300 military working dogs deployed worldwide to support the Global War on Terror, helping to safeguard military bases and activities, and to detect bombs and explosives before they inflict harm; Whereas canines are used today to maintain peace and protection with numerous law enforcement, fire, and search and rescue agencies around the country, and are trained to patrol, apprehend fleeing criminals, and detect narcotics, explosives, weapons, and accelerants, in cases of arson; Whereas, according to the United States Police Canine Association, it is estimated that there are approximately 15,000 police canines working today, not including military working dogs, on the Federal, State, county, and local levels of government, in various service and working capacities; Whereas, according to Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States, there are over 2,000 certified search and rescue teams across the United States, most of them volunteers who work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and State and local organizations as needed, including 28 national urban search and rescue teams, 369 urban search and rescue dogs with capabilities in live find and human remains detection in a disaster environment, and 66 nationally certified State disaster K–9 search teams which respond to instate requests to disasters or imminent threats of weather, building collapse, etc.; Whereas, since 1943, the United Kingdom has been the only country in the world to honor animals with its international PDSA Dickin Medal, also known as the Victoria Cross for Animals Whereas animals that serve in war and peace in the United States are currently not recognized for their acts of gallantry and bravery, and do not have an official medal to honor their distinguished service; Whereas there is increasing support for the process of a Medal of Bravery and a Distinguished Service Medal for animals and an annual event to recognize such animals who have served valiantly and bravely since World War I; Whereas the Animals in War and Peace Medal of Bravery was instituted in 2019, and awarded to the inaugural eight recipients on November 14, 2019, at a ceremony, attended by dignitaries and Members of Congress, in the District of Columbia; and Whereas a second Animals in War and Peace event is currently being planned, to educate and raise public awareness of these brave animals and their handlers who served the United States in times of war and peace: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) recognizes and thanks the brave American service animals and their dedicated and selfless handlers who serve the United States in both war and peace; and (2) supports the creation of an annual process to nominate animals for the Medal of Bravery and Distinguished Service Medal.

Summary: This resolution recognizes and thanks service animals and their handlers who serve the United States in times of war and peace and supports the creation of an annual process to nominate animals for the Medal of Bravery and Distinguished Service Medal.