Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) would have access to therapeutic service dogs under bipartisan legislation reintroduced by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) on Wednesday.
The Puppies Assisting Wounded Service members (PAWS) Act would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a five-year pilot program that connects veterans suffering from PTSD to service dogs through eligible organizations that train the animals.
“Veterans with PTSD may have left the battlefield, but they are still in a tough fight,” Fischer said. “Service dogs can provide support, peace and joy to these Americans as they confront the invisible scars of war. Through the PAWS Act, we can bring our veterans relief by offering them hope.”
While the VA provides service dogs for physically disabled veterans, it does not provide service dogs for veterans living with PTSD. The VA estimates that up to 20 percent of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD, which has proven difficult to treat.
Animal-assisted therapy, meanwhile, has been found to relieve symptoms of PTSD like depression, anxiety and dissociation. Research also suggests that service dogs can improve the quality of sleep and reduce the need for medication to treat symptoms of PTSD.
Fischer was joined by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) in introducing the bipartisan bill.
Veterans receiving primary care or mental health care from a provider operating at a VA facility every 180 days would be eligible for a service dog under the pilot program.