Story at a glance
- President Biden signed the “Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act” or the “PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act,” into law Wednesday.
- The new law will require the Department of Veteran Affairs to start a 5-year pilot program that trains and provides service dogs to qualifying veterans suffering from certain mental health conditions.
- The PAWS Act requires that the VA launch the program by 2022 in at least five VA medical facilities.
President Biden signed into law on Wednesday a bill that will provide service dogs to veterans suffering from certain mental health conditions.
Known as the “Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act” or the “PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act,” the new law will require the Department of Veteran Affairs to start a 5-year pilot program that trains and provides service dogs to qualifying veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
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“I’ve had the chance to visit with veterans and their service dogs in my district, and it couldn’t be clearer how service dogs make life better for our veterans,” Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who spearheaded the bill, said. “From waking them from PTSD-related nightmares, helping them open doors, or finding an exit in a crowded space, it can be transformational.”
The PAWS Act requires that the VA launch the program by 2022 in at least five VA medical facilities.
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