The PAWs (Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers) Act was introduced to Congress on June 5 by Florida Rep. John Rutherford and, if passed, will require the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide service dogs to veterans diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The bill is supported by K9s For Warriors, the largest service dog provider for disabled post-9/11 veterans in the U.S.
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. Nonprofit organizations like K9s For Warriors train and supply service dogs for qualifying veterans.
“The PAWS Act passing is a victory for all American heroes suffering from the invisible wound of PTSD,” K9s for Warriors CEO Rory Diamond said. “This symbolizes hope – not only for veterans themselves, but for everyone who loves them and is desperate to help them reclaim their lives.”
The VA estimates that 11-20 percent of all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have PTSD, 12% of Gulf War veterans have PTSD, and 30% of Vietnam veterans have PTSD. Additionally, other, non-combat veterans have PTSD resulting from traumas such as military sexual assault, according to the U.S. Dept. of VA National Center for PTSD.
If passed, the PAWS Act would direct the VA to grant a voucher to each qualifying veteran to take to any service dog organization of their choosing.
