Pet Partners, a therapy animal organization and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) brought an army of emotional support dogs to the rescue of stressed-out Capitol Hill staffers on Wednesday.
They were on hand Wednesday in both the Hart Senate Office Building and the Rayburn House Office Building.
The organizations said that the goal was to “offer congressional staff a break from the stress of wrapping up an exceptionally busy year,” and to demonstrate the “health and wellness benefits of the human-animal bond,” according to the Hill.
“Who better to bring comfort and relief to the hardworking folks on Capitol Hill than a furry group of loving, intuitive, and bipartisan Pet Partners therapy animals?”, PIJAC asked.
PIJAC posted pictures showing the registered therapy dogs providing comfort and smiles. “Great to have so many staffers stop by our #pettherapy on the Hill event today!” it said.
PAWS for People, a therapy animal organization says the scientifically-proven benefits of pet therapy include decreasing anxiety, providing comfort, and even lowering blood pressure.
Ebony Bowden of The New York Post reported, “One frazzled Senate staffer was seen clinging to a Japanese Spitz, while a handsome Collie named Remy was only too happy to take Busto’s mind off collusion and quid pro quo. Blue the Goldendoodle also wore a tie for the special occasion.”
“This is a happy accident,” PIJAC President Mike Bober told People. “We had this planned for several months, so when they announced the date of the hearings, we thought ‘if there was ever a time for a bipartisan source of comfort and relief, it’s today.’”