File photo
File photo
A bill aimed at providing veterans who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) better access to service dogs is now headed to the United States Senate.
H.R. 1448, otherwise known as the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act, was cosponsored by Rep. Steve Womack (R-Arkansas) and passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week.
"Service dogs provide our veterans with transformational and life-saving support," Womack wrote in a tweet. "I'm proud to announce that the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, a bill I cosponsored to help our heroes, passed the House. I urge the Senate to quickly advance this legislation."
Under the PAWS for Veterans Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs would create a pilot program to provide veterans with treatment and therapy that involves service dogs.
The VA would then work alongside nonprofit organizations to create a "work-therapy initiative" that would have veterans assist with training the dogs to become service animals, and after finishing the program would be given the option to adopt the dog they helped train, according to Womack's website.
Womack has worked to help the men and women who've served our country by supporting initiatives that increase transparency within the VA, encouraging the employment of veterans, preventing suicide, improving health care, and helping veterans return to life as civilians.
Alerts Sign-up