We are excited to share that we have advanced to the Site Selection phase for building the National Service Animals Monument in Washington DC!
More Than a Monument … a National Movement
Our vision for the National Service Animals Monument is to create a powerful and enduring national experience—one that honors service, sacrifice, and the extraordinary human–animal bond at the heart of American history. Conceived as a meaningful destination within the nation’s capital, the monument will invite reflection, learning, and connection within a thoughtfully designed park-like or civic plaza setting.
Pathways will lead visitors through emotionally resonant bronze sculptures of service animals and their handlers, depicting the many ways these remarkable partnerships have aided, protected, and shaped our nation and its citizens across generations.
From working dogs and assistance animals to war horses, dolphins, and other service animals, the monument will honor their contributions while placing them within the broader narrative of American service and sacrifice. Interpretive elements—including engraved plaques and a mobile experience—will share powerful true stories of these unsung heroes and the critical roles they have played throughout U.S. history.
Honoring Our Nation’s Service Animals & Their Handlers
Since the founding of our country, service animals—including dogs, cats, horses, mules, homing pigeons, dolphins, sea lions, and others—have served alongside Americans in times of war, peace, crisis, and recovery. They have provided vital assistance to veterans, persons with disabilities, search and rescue teams, military forces, and law enforcement, often operating in the most demanding and dangerous environments.
These animals have performed essential duties and untold acts of valor, standing beside America’s citizens and officers for centuries. Many have suffered, and some have given their lives, in service to our country.
These unsung heroes have served society, saved lives, and made extraordinary sacrifices. They are deserving of the highest honor and respect—and of a permanent place in our nation’s collective remembrance.
NSAM aspires to highlight our nation’s collective consciousness of service and sacrifice and to elevate understanding of the extraordinary ways in which animals and humans serve one another under the most challenging and extraordinary circumstances. Through this recognition, the monument contributes meaningfully to the national conversation about American values, remembrance, and the meaning of service.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Helen Keller
Artist’s Conceptual Design
Safety
Security
Independence
“After my diagnosis of PTSD I became even more isolated and depressed and rarely left my home. Hero helps me with walking and has helped me regain my confidence. I am now back to doing many of the things I used to do and love. We are inseparable and I am grateful daily for his love and…licks.”
News
We have Advanced to the Site Selection Phase!
We are excited to share that NSAM has advanced to the Site Selection phase as we identify our best location for the National Service Animals Monument in Washington DC!
National Service Animals Monument Act passed as part of Omnibus bill on Dec 23, 2022
With the passage of The National Service Animals Monument Act on December 23, 2022, NSAM achieves the all-important and necessary acknowledgment and approval by Congress for us to build the memorial on federal land in Washington DC. Although the Act was “rolled in” to the omnibus appropriations bill funding our government, there is no public funding for the memorial. NSAM will now turn its focus to creating and implementing a Capital Campaign to attain private funding for this new historic site.
NSAM is grateful for the bipartisan support from the members of Congress who sponsored and co-sponsored our bill: Senator Blumenthal (D-CT), Senator Blackburn (R-TN), Senator Booker (D-NJ), Senator Peters (D-MI), Senator Padilla (D-CA), Representative Wild (D-PA), Representative Mace (R-SC), Representative Harder (D-CA), Representative DeGette (D-CO), and Representative Levin (D-CA). We also offer a nod of gratitude to the legislative staff and federal employees for their guidance and support throughout the entire process.
H.R. 2617 SEC. 704
AUTHORIZATION TO ESTABLISH COMMEMORATIVE WORK TO COMMEMORATE THE HEROIC DEEDS AND SACRIFICES OF SERVICE ANIMALS AND HANDLERS OF SERVICE ANIMALS IN THE UNITED STATE.(sic)
(a) IN GENERAL.—The National Service Animals Monument Corporation (referred to in this section the ‘‘Corporation’’) may establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to commemorate the heroic deeds and sacrifices of service animals and handlers of service animals in the United States.
(b) COMPLIANCE WITH STANDARDS FOR COMMEMORATIVE WORKS.—The establishment of the commemorative work under this section shall be in accordance with chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code (commonly known as the ‘‘Commemorative Works Act’’).
(c) PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Federal funds may not be used to pay any expense of the establishment of the commemorative work under this section.
(2) RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE ANIMALS MONUMENT CORPORATION.—The Corporation shall be solely responsible for the acceptance of contributions for, and payment of the expenses of, the establishment of the commemorative work under this section.
(d) DEPOSIT OF EXCESS FUNDS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—If, on payment of all expenses for the establishment of the commemorative work under this section (including the maintenance and preservation amount required by section 8906(b)(1) of title 40, United States Code), there remains a balance of funds received for the establishment of the commemorative work, the Corporation shall transmit the amount of the balance to the Secretary for deposit in the account provided for in section 8906(b)(3) of that title.
(2) ON EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY.—If, on expiration of the authority for the commemorative work under section 8903(e) of title 40, United States Code, there remains a balance of funds received for the establishment of the commemorative work under this section, the Corporation shall transmit the amount of the balance to a separate account with the National Park Foundation for memorials, to be available to the Secretary or the Administrator of General Services, as appropriate, in accordance with the process provided in paragraph (4) of section 8906(b) of that title for accounts established under 18 paragraph (2) or (3) of that section. ###
Let's Build it!
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5662 Calle Real #105
Goleta, CA 93117
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202-774-1992
NSAM is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
EIN #27-4620979
