Wash., D.C. – American Humane today applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, H.R. 4305. The PAWS Act underscores the critical role trained service dogs play in helping veterans recover from post-deployment mental health issues.
“We are thrilled to see the House pass the PAWS Act which validates what we at American Humane have long believed – trained service dogs are critical to helping veterans in need,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane President and CEO. “Our Pups4Patriots program has been saving lives on both ends of the leash for years. Today’s action by the House will spur much needed attention in this space and help veterans and their canine heroes live more fulfilled, healthier lives.”
Much like American Humane’s Pups4Patriots program, which identifies dogs in need of forever homes and trains them to be lifesaving service dogs free of charge for veterans with Post Traumatic Syndrome and Traumatic Brain Injury, the PAWS Act would ultimately pair and train vets suffering from post-deployment mental health issues with service dogs also in need of training.
“The process of obtaining a PTS service dog is lengthy and costly, a cost that is out of reach for many veterans,” Ganzert said. “We cannot thank Congress enough for working to ensure even more veterans have access to the life-saving love only our four-legged friends can provide. This is long overdue.”
With too few trained service dogs available for our service men and women in need, American Humane is proud to provide critically necessary training and service dogs to veterans.