HI HCR309

Requests the Governor to proclaim the second week of August of every year as "Hawaii State Assistance Dogs Week" beginning in August 2011.

Notes that Hawaii has 143,000 citizens with disabilities and those needing service dogs typically wait three to five years to receive one.

Recognizes that assistance dogs, including service dogs, guide dogs, hearing alert dogs, and alert/seizure response dogs, transform the lives of people with physical and mental disabilities.

Aims to raise public awareness and education about how specially trained assistance dogs benefit Hawaii's citizens with disabilities.

Directs certified copies of the resolution to be sent to the Governor and the Hawaii Humane Society.