Veterans combating post-traumatic stress will be eligible to receive VA-covered service dogs as part of a pilot program included in a law signed by the president on Aug. 25.
The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act (H.R. 1448) was introduced by Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) in March. It includes a requirement for a pilot program involving at least five VA medical centers, which will partner with accredited service dog organizations within 180 days of the act’s passage. Veterans and service dogs will go through a work-therapy training program; at the conclusion of the program, veterans will have the option to adopt their paired dog.
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