Service dogs have repeatedly proven themselves to be very effective in helping veterans with a variety of disabilities, but access to them hasn't always been easy. To that end, the U.S. House of Representatives is now moving to address the issue with a new bill.
The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act would create a five-year pilot program, according from a report from political news site The Hill. With $10 million in funding, the VA would pair veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and service dogs to help them cope. The bill would allocate a maximum of $27,000 per dog, meaning thousands of veterans could be helped over the five-year pilot.
"The PAWS Act is a simple bill that could have a dramatic – and potentially life-saving – effect on the lives of many," said Rep. Ron DeSantis, a Florida Republican, according to the site. "As we face an epidemic of veteran suicides, we must make sure that all of our returning servicemembers are honored and taken care of, no matter the wounds they bear."
This kind of help should provide many veterans with the assistance they need, especially if the program is so successful that it gets broadened after the pilot ends.