Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder soon may have canine help.
Sens. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., on Wednesday introduced the Puppies Assisting Wounded Service members Act, or the PAWS Act.
The legislation, which has bipartisan support in the House and Senate, would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide service dogs to patients suffering from PTSD.
The VA estimates that between 11 and 20 percent of veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan exhibit symptoms of PTSD in any given year. PTSD is difficult to cure, though, and many veterans do not seek treatment.
Studies, however, have found that service dogs provide many benefits to people with PTSD and other combat-related illnesses.
The therapy has been known to reduce PTSD symptoms, which include depression and anxiety. It also has been found that service dog-related therapy leads to better sleep quality and less need for medication.
The VA provides service dogs for physically disabled veterans but not for those suffering from PTSD.
Fischer said the PAWS Act would “bring the joys and love of man’s best friend to help our veterans cope with the scars of war.”
Under the legislation, the VA would provide the dogs and veterinary insurance for five years under a pilot program, and $10 million would be allocated toward the program annually. Veterans need to have served on or after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and been diagnosed with, and continue to suffer from, PTSD.
Veterans must also see a primary care or mental healthcare provider quarterly at a VA medical center.
The House version of the legislation, introduced by Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., has 97 co-sponsors.
