WASHINGTON, D.C. — In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month and National Service Dog Month, Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, Chairman of Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee on House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.
This legislation would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award grants to nonprofit organizations to assist with programs to provide service dogs to eligible veterans. This bill includes training for the service dog and also extends the availability of this program to other veteran disabilities, such as blind, deaf, TBI, military sexual trauma, paralysis and PTSD.
“As veterans fight to survive the invisible wounds of war, it’s been my priority to do everything possible to ensure veterans have access to every mental health resource out there,” Luttrell said. “Long after our veterans have left the battlefield, service dogs play an invaluable role in supporting the men and women who fought for our freedoms. The legislation I introduced provides another tool in the toolbox for wounded vets when they return home by providing the resources to raise, train, and place service dogs with more veterans. Meeting the needs of our veterans is not something I take lightly, and I’ll continue to work to provide them the best care.”
“Service dogs have a proven track record of providing life-saving assistance to Veterans,” said K9s For Warriors Vice President of Government & External Affairs Bill McCabe. “The SAVES Act will ultimately put more service dogs in the hands of Veterans in critical need, allowing them to regain their independence and reintegrate into civilian life. We applaud this bipartisan, bicameral effort and urge Congress to pass this important legislation without delay.”
It is estimated that upwards of 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, and more than 450,000 service members have been diagnosed with at least one traumatic brain injury over the past two decades.
As a result, these veterans suffer from alarmingly high rates of depression, anxiety, joblessness, homelessness, and substance use disorders. Far too often, they resort to taking their own lives, with nearly 20 veterans dying by suicide each day.
Today, there are tens of thousands of service dogs across the United States assisting veterans with a wide-range of disabilities and ailments. A service dog is defined as a dog which have been specifically trained to conduct actions for a person suffering from a disability. These can include seeing eye dogs, seizure alert and response dogs, and actions to assist individuals suffering from mental health conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
As the demand for alternative treatment modalities increases, the bipartisan, bicameral Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act directs the Secretary of the Veterans Affairs to establish a grant program at the Veterans Health Administration to award funds, on a competitive basis, to accredited nonprofit organizations that provide highly trained service dogs to eligible Veterans suffering from blindness, visual, or mobility impairments, loss of hearing, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma, free of charge.
Nonprofit organizations would be required to submit an application to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that includes a description of the training that will be provided by the organization to eligible veterans; the training of dogs that will serve as service dogs; the aftercare services that the organization will provide for the service dogs and eligible veteran, and the plan for publicizing the availability of service dogs for veterans free of charge.
To ensure the highest of standards, approved nonprofits must also have experience working directly with veterans and adhere to Assistance Dogs International (ADI) standards or another widely recognized accreditation that the Secretary determines has standards that meet or exceed ADI.
Several veterans organizations have endorsed this legislation, including: Americas Warrior Partnership (AWP), Blinded Veterans Association, Chief Warrant & Warrant Officers Association of the US Coast Guard, Dog Tag Buddies, HunterSeven Foundation, Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America, Jewish War Veterans of America, Kayas K9s, K9s For Warriors, National Military Families Association, Non-Commissioned Officers Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Pet Advocacy Network, Semper K9 Assistance Dogs, The American Legion, The Independence Fund, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, The Enlisted Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Vietnam Veterans of America.
Luttrell also announced the passage of the Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2024, a critical piece of legislation aimed at supporting America’s veterans and their families. The bill, which passed with bipartisan support, ensures that veterans receiving compensation for service-connected disabilities, as well as the survivors of certain veterans, will see an increase in their benefits to match the rising cost of living.
“Our veterans gave everything to defend our freedoms, and it is our duty to ensure they receive the care and compensation they deserve. The passage of the Veterans Compensation COLA Act of 2024 is a testament to our ongoing commitment to America’s heroes and their families,” Luttrell said.
Effective Dec. 1, this adjustment will provide financial relief to veterans by aligning their benefits with the cost-of-living increase that Social Security beneficiaries receive. The Veterans COLA Act ensures that veterans and their families do not fall behind economically as inflation impacts households across the county, recognizing the sacrifices they have made for our nation.
