New Bill To Pair Dogs With Veterans

Earlier this week, the House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill with a feature that will pair trained shelter dogs with veterans. Living with a pet can only improve the lives of our soldiers when they return from duty, giving them a helpful companion filled with unconditional love. We applaud our government for their effort on passing the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act and hope to see this bill implemented after further approval. — Global Animal

Yesterday the House unanimously passed a package of veterans’ health care legislation (H.R. 2074), and included in the final bill was the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act (H.R. 198), introduced by Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., which will help pair vets with pets and is good for both soldier and canine.

The legislation would create a pilot program for training dogs as a form of therapy to help treat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other post-deployment mental health conditions. The dogs could come from shelters, and after training, they would become service dogs to assist veterans with disabilities.

Rep. Grimm, a Marine combat veteran from Operation Desert Storm, said in a press release, “As a veteran, and an American, I am thrilled that this legislation has passed the House, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass it without delay, so that it can be signed into law and allow us to begin providing assistance to our returning veterans.”

The bond between people and animals is a strong one—and can even be a healing one. Pets are good for our emotional and physical health, and studies show that having a pet can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Caring for a companion animal provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment and lessens feelings of loneliness and isolation in people of all ages.  – Global Animal