Bill Overview
Title: National Service Animals Memorial Act
Description: This bill authorizes the National Service Animals Monument Corporation to establish a commemorative work on federal land in the District of Columbia to commemorate the heroic deeds and sacrifices of service animals and handlers of service animals in the United States. The corporation shall be solely responsible for the acceptance of contributions for, and the payment of the expenses of, the establishment of the commemorative work. The establishment of the commemorative work shall be in accordance with the Commemorative Works Act. Federal funds may not be used to pay any expenses for the establishment of the commemorative work.
Sponsors: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals associated with service animals
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The bill concerns the establishment of a monument to commemorate service animals and their handlers.
- Service animals are used globally, so many individuals involved with service animals across different countries may be interested or impacted by this act.
- In the U.S., service animals assist people with disabilities, and these teams of animals and handlers constitute a substantial number of individuals.
- The monument is established under the responsibilities of the National Service Animals Monument Corporation, which will raise funds privately.
- There are millions of service animals across the world, assisting individuals with a range of disabilities, including those related to mobility, hearing, vision, and emotional support.
- Veterans' associations and differently-abled individuals, especially in the U.S., will be directly impacted by this bill as it honors the contributions of service animals and handlers.
Reasoning
- The policy targets individuals and organizations involved with service animals in the U.S., with a specific impact on veterans and people with disabilities who use such services.
- Some people may feel a sense of pride and appreciation from the commemoration, which might improve wellbeing scores slightly, but there is no direct financial or service-oriented benefit.
- However, the policy is budget-neutral, relying on private funding, ensuring no taxpayer money is used, which might mitigate any potential opposition.
- Responses from individuals who do not interact directly with service animals might show negligible change in wellbeing as the monument's establishment does not affect them personally.
Simulated Interviews
Veteran (Austin, TX)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's amazing that there will be a memorial for service animals.
- My dog has changed my life, and this recognition feels important.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Dog Trainer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition through a monument is a nice gesture and brings awareness to our work.
- I hope it will inspire more people to support the service animals community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's comforting to know our role in society is being honored.
- Not sure if it changes much day-to-day for me personally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Lawyer (New York, NY)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a positive move towards recognizing service animals' contributions.
- I don't personally feel much change, but it's good for community awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
IT Specialist (Denver, CO)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The monument is a noble idea and brings visibility.
- Personally indifferent, as it doesn't directly impact my resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Creating a place to honor service animals is a heartwarming notion.
- This doesn't alter my day-to-day life, but it's nice to know.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Marketing Assistant (Chicago, IL)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think memorials are important for education, but it doesn't affect me.
- I support the initiative but feel distant from it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Public School Teacher (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This brings much-needed attention to the significance of service animals.
- Could inspire more support for educational programs with therapy animals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Restaurant Manager (Memphis, TN)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's symbolic to honor service animals, especially for families like mine.
- Doesn't change our situation directly, but it's appreciated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Research Scientist (Boston, MA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The monument might enhance public understanding of service animals.
- Neutral on personal impact as it's not directly related to my work or life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The project is fully funded through private donations, posing no fiscal impact on the federal budget.
- The monument aims to benefit communities associated with service animals and promotes the interests of those benefiting from service animal support.