America’s veterans deserve all the best services we can give them. Many veterans served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Gulf War or the Vietnam War. But between 11% and 30% veterans (more women than men) suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health condition resulting in:
- Irritability and hopeless from recurring memories of a traumatic event
- Flashbacks, nightmares, and trouble concentrating
- Self-destructive behavior (excessive drinking, speeding while driving)
- Problems relating to family and friends
- Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
This collection of symptoms can be debilitating, chronic and severe. But once again, our animals friends can help veterans struggling with PTSD.
The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers, or PAWS Act, is a grant program to provide service dogs for veterans with PTSD.
PAWS Act
Details of the PAWS Act include:
- A $25,000 voucher for a service dog approved by the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans (ASDPMV).
- ASDPMV-approved service dogs are trained from a coalition of non-profit service dog providers for military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma.
- Service dogs trained to prevent suicide and improve military veterans’ mental health.
- Instructions for the the Veterans Administration (VA) to apply a grant to provide service dogs for veterans with PTSD.
- PAWS Act was created to make service dogs more accessible to veterans seeking an alternative PTSD treatment option.
Find A Service Dog
While the VA offers a Service Dog Veterinary Health Benefit and benefit rules, the VA does not provide service dogs.
Veteran requests for service dogs are referred to Assistance Dogs International or International Guide Dog Federation.
K9s for Warriors, the largest provider of service dogs for disabled U.S. veterans, further explained the purpose of the PAWS Act:
“The intent of the bill is to make service dogs more accessible to all veterans wanting an alternative PTSD treatment option, to help reduce the veteran suicide rate of 20 per day and enable them to reintegrate successfully into society.”
Currently, the VA does not fund service dogs or recognize the use of service dogs as a viable method to treat PTSD.
Support the PAWS Act
Private organizations and nonprofit organizations like K9s For Warriors train and supply service dogs for qualifying veterans.
The PAWS Act was introduced in 2017 by Senator Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska. Service dogs offer joy, peace and support for American veterans left with the invisible scars of war.
Service dogs help veterans survive and most importantly, give them hope.
You can support the PAWS Act by contacting your elected member of Congress to ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 3103.
Supporters should contact their elected member of Congress to ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 3103. Click here to find the current list of Co-Sponsors and the status of the bill.
And click here to read about the ASDPMV’s National Standards.
source: The Healing Power of Assistance Dogs for Veterans with PTSD
Thanks for stopping by!
Dr. Pet Mom
‘Service dogs may not have wings, but they give us the freedom to soar. They guide us through life’s turbulence, keeping us grounded and helping us find our way when we feel lost.”~~Anonymous
Top image source: veterans.wv.gov/blog/Pages/Service-Dogs.aspx