The US Department of Veterans Affairs currently does not offer reimbursement for the cost of service dogs for military veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
That could change with proposed legislation known as the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act, which is making its way through both the House and the Senate.
If passed, the PAWS Act would provide vouchers to veterans with mental health conditions, so they can acquire service dogs from nonprofit organizations. Currently, only veterans with mobility issues qualify for service dog financial assistance.
According to an article on military.com, advocates of service dogs for veterans with PTSD point out that there is enough evidence that the dogs provide many positive benefits. These dogs help the veterans feel secure in public places, and can be trained to wake them up from nightmares.
Additionally, advocates argue that service dogs are an important suicide prevention measure, giving veterans a reason to get up each morning, to care for their canine companions.
