Wounded Warrior Service Dog Act
From: The Honorable James P. McGovern
Sent By: alicia.molt@mail.house.gov
Bill: H.R. 2847
Cosponsors (28): Beatty, Bishop, Blumenauer, Capuano, Chu, Cicilline, Conyers, DeFazio, Grijalva, Hastings, Holt, Honda, Jones, Kaptur, Kennedy, Larson, Lofgren, McCollum, McNerney, Moore, Moran, Napolitano, Neal, O'Rourke, Schakowsky, Schiff, Titus, Tsongas.
With so many of our service men and women returning home with both physical and mental health disabilities, it is critical that we continue to provide them with access to multiple treatment resources.
On a recent visit to the nonprofit organization, National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS), located in my district, I was amazed to hear stories about how service dogs are helping to treat veterans with physical disabilities as well as individuals who suffer from post- traumatic stress. Assistance dogs help service men and women lead more independent lives, assisting with mobility and balance, retrieving and carrying objects, responding to sounds, getting help, and providing social interaction and companionship. Trained dogs also offer many therapeutic benefits to soldiers and veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress by elevating their moods, building confidence, and reducing stress, all of which ease the transition back into civilian life.
The Wounded Warrior Service Dog Act would direct the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly establish a program for the awarding of competitive grants to nonprofit organization whose mission is to address physical and mental health needs of service members and veterans with assistance from service dogs.
The bill defines the term "assistance dog" to mean a dog specifically trained to perform physical tasks to mitigate the effects of a disability. This bill authorizes $5 million for each of five fiscal years (2014-18).
I appreciate your consideration for this important bill. If you have any questions or would like to join as a cosponsor please contact Alicia Molt on my staff at Alicia.molt@mail.house.gov
Sincerely,
James P. McGovern
Member of Congress