HARRISBURG – Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32), chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, is hosting a Working Animal Appreciation Day on Tuesday, May 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Soldiers Grove at the Capitol Complex.
The Senate of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State Working Animal Foundation are recognizing the police and military K-9s, search and rescue dogs and horses, service dogs and therapy animals that work for people.
The press conference will begin at noon in Soldiers Grove. The event will also include demonstrations every half hour:
- 9:30 a.m.: Summit Search and Rescue
- 10 a.m.: PA Department of Corrections
- 10:30 a.m.: The Capitol Police
- 11 a.m.: Canine Partners for Life
- 11:30 a.m.: York County Sheriff’s Office
- Noon: press conference
- 12:45 p.m.: Pennsylvania Canine Search and Rescue
- 1:15 p.m.: Middle Creek Search and Rescue
There will be a special appearance by K-9 Detective Briggs, who has worked with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, local police departments, the U.S. Marshal and Secret Service agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The K-9 is credited with assisting in the apprehension of arson and armed robbery suspects.
Exhibits and demonstrations will include the following organizations from around the Commonwealth: Alpha Bravo Canine, Caring Hearts Pet Therapy, Carlisle Police Department, Crisis Response Canines, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Harrisburg Police K-9 Unit, KPETS-Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services, Leg Up Farm, Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans, Loving Eyes Seeing Eye Puppy Club, Pennsylvania Canine Search and Rescue, Pennsylvania State Animal Response Team, Pennsylvania State Police Mounted Section, Pennsylvania State Working Animal Foundation, Penn Vet Working Dog Center, Special Unit 66 Search and Rescue, Summit Search and Rescue and Tails of Valor.
Additional support for the event is provided by the Fraternal Order of Police, Pennsylvania Lodge, Pittsburgh Firefighters and the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association.
The PA Dairyman’s Association’s Milkshake on the Moove Truck will also be present to serve its famous milkshakes. You can purchase a delicious milkshake for $5. Proceeds benefit agricultural scholarships, youth programs and educational programs across the state.
The event is open to the public.
Watch the press conference at noon live at SenatorStefano.com and veterans.pasenategop.com.
CONTACT: Nathan Silcox, 717-787-7175, nsilcox@pasen.gov