Stivers Reintroduces Bill to Pair Veterans and Service Dogs to Treat Mental Illness

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Representative Steve Stivers (R-OH) and 218 bipartisan cosponsors reintroduced H.R. 1448, the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act. With 218 of his colleagues signed on in support, if a vote were held today, the threshold for passage would be met.

The PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act will create a pilot program within the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) to give veterans access to treatment derived from working with service dogs. Specifically, the VA will partner with non-profit organizations working with veterans and service dogs to create work-therapy programs wherein veterans learn the art and science of training dogs. The dogs are trained to do things like block a veteran to give them space in a crowd, or to wake them up if they're having a nightmare. Upon completion of the program, the veterans may adopt their dogs to provide continuing therapy.

An average of 20 veterans die by suicide every day, and post-traumatic stress impacts between 11 and 30 percent of veterans who served in various conflicts. Last month, the VA unveiled the results of a highly anticipated study: pairing veterans with post-traumatic stress (PTS) with service dogs is an effective form of treatment for their mental health and to overcome PTS.

According to the VA, pairing veterans with service dogs, instead of emotional support dogs, resulted in less symptoms of PTS and less risk of suicide. This study, and its results, were reviewed by mental health providers, veterinarians, dog trainers, statisticians, and other research experts at the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine.

The latest evidence builds upon the widely accepted studies previously published on the subject. Research conducted by Kaiser Permanente and Purdue University has shown that veterans working with service dogs show fewer symptoms of PTS and depression, leading to better interpersonal relationships, lower risk of substance abuse, and overall better mental health.

In the 116th Congress, the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act (H.R. 4305) unanimously passed the House. This hybrid piece of legislation, H.R. 4305, passed with the bipartisan support of 324 cosponsors.

"Men and women have made unbelievable sacrifices to keep our nation safe, and this bill is a common-sense solution to help them thrive, not just survive, in their transition to civilian life," said Rep. Steve Stivers. "I'm incredibly grateful to our coalition for their efforts to get this bill signed into law. This has already helped veteran nationwide, and soldiers under my command in Operation Iraqi Freedom go out to restaurants again, go on planes, and mend relationships with their loved ones. Now confirmed by the VA, this unique treatment has proven to help veterans get their lives back, get their freedom back."

"Service dogs are a proven and effective resource for veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress," said Rep. Kathleen Rice. "And with the ongoing pandemic only exacerbating the mental health crisis, we must ensure that our veterans have access to every available mental health resource -- including service dogs. This bipartisan bill is common-sense legislation that will help save lives. I'm proud to support it and I thank Representative Stivers for leading this effort once again."

"Veterans across the country have experienced firsthand how training and caring for a service dog can help alleviate the symptoms and struggles of PTSD. With twenty veterans taking their own lives each day, we must do more to help those with PTSD and other service-connected forms of trauma. That's why I'm proud to cosponsor the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, which will make a meaningful difference for veterans struggling with PTSD," said Rep. John Rutherford.

"Service dogs are a transformational form of therapy for our veterans with post-traumatic stress," said Rep. Mikie Sherrill. "I've heard from veterans in my community about the impact of their service dog, and yet this therapy is out of reach for too many of our returning service members. The VA released the results of their study last month confirming what we already knew: we need to increase access to service dogs for our veterans through the VA. I'm proud to be joining with Rep. Stivers to reintroduce this legislation and to work together to see it finally signed into law."

"Veterans returning from combat deployments too often suffer from PTSD and we have an obligation to help them," said Rep. Michael Waltz. "The science is clear that partnering service dogs with veterans helps alleviate PTSD symptoms and saves lives."

"When we make the decision to send young men and women to fight for our country, we make the decision to support them for the rest of their lives," Rep. Elissa Slotkin said. "That non-partisan responsibility is what fuels our bipartisan effort to reintroduce ---- and hopefully pass ---- the PAWS Act, a bill to connect veterans with service dogs in their communities, and improve veterans' mental health and wellbeing. What's particularly great about this bill is that it could directly support the work that amazing organizations like Blue Star Service Dogs and Veteran Service Dogs are doing for veterans in Livingston County. Back in 2019, I had a chance to visit Blue Star Service Dogs in Pinckney, to see the dogs in action, and to hear directly from veterans about how service dogs are helping them heal from depression, PTSD, and other "invisible' service-related wounds. Passing this legislation couldn't be more urgent as we recognize the staggering rates of suicide among our veterans, and I urge all my colleagues to join us in pushing this legislation over the finish line."

"I am proud to support the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act in the 117th Congress. Working with service dogs has proven therapeutic benefits for veterans. The K9 counterparts help veterans struggling with PTSD get their lives back. These brave men and women have sacrificed a great deal for us. We owe it to them to expand opportunities for those struggling with their mental health," said Rep. Neal Dunn.

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