A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on service dog training therapy, and for other purposes.

Summary: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to commence a three-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of using service dog training activities as components of integrated post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rehabilitation programs at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers to positively affect veterans with such symptoms and to produce specially trained service dogs for veterans. Requires the pilot program to be carried out at one VA medical center selected by the Secretary other than the VA health care system in Palo Alto, California. Makes veteran participation voluntary. Requires the Secretary to: (1) collect program data to determine its effectiveness, as well as the advisability of expanding the program to additional VA medical centers; and (2) report annually to Congress for the duration of the pilot program.

SECTION 1. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM ON SERVICE DOG 
              TRAINING.

    (a) Pilot Program Required.--Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
commence a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of 
using service dog training activities as components of integrated post-
deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder 
rehabilitation programs at Department of Veterans Affairs medical 
centers--
            (1) to positively affect veterans with post-deployment 
        mental health conditions or post-traumatic stress disorder 
        symptoms; and
            (2) to produce specially trained service dogs for veterans.
    (b) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program 
during the three-year period beginning on the date of the commencement 
of the pilot program.
    (c) Location.--
            (1) In general.--The pilot program shall be carried out at 
        one Department of Veterans Affairs medical center selected by 
        the Secretary for such purpose other than in the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs Palo Alto health care system in Palo Alto, 
        California. In selecting medical centers for the pilot program, 
        the Secretary shall--
                    (A) ensure that the medical center selected--
                            (i) has an established mental health 
                        rehabilitation program that includes a clinical 
                        focus on rehabilitation treatment of post-
                        deployment mental health disorder and post-
                        traumatic stress disorder; and
                            (ii) has a demonstrated capability and 
                        capacity to incorporate service dog training 
                        activities into the rehabilitation program; and
                    (B) shall review and consider using recommendations 
                published by experienced service dog trainers 
                regulations in the art and science of basic third-party 
                dog training and owner-training dogs with regard to 
                space, equipment, and methodologies.
            (2) Participation of rural veterans.--In selecting a 
        medical center for the pilot program required under subsection 
        (a), the Secretary shall give special consideration to 
        Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers that are located 
        in States that the Secretary considers rural or highly rural.
    (d) Design of Pilot Program.--In carrying out the pilot program, 
the Secretary shall--
            (1) administer the program through the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs Patient Care Services Office as a 
        collaborative effort between the Rehabilitation Office and the 
        Office of Mental Health Services;
            (2) ensure that the national pilot program lead of the 
        Patient Care Services Office has sufficient administrative 
        experience to oversee the pilot program site;
            (3) ensure that dogs selected are healthy and age- and 
        temperament-appropriate for use in the pilot program;
            (4) consider dogs residing in animal shelters or foster 
        homes for participation in the program if such dogs meet the 
        service dog candidate selection under this subsection;
            (5) ensure that each dog selected for the pilot program--
                    (A) is taught all basic commands and behaviors;
                    (B) undergoes public access training; and
                    (C) receives training specifically tailored to 
                address the mental health conditions or disabilities of 
                the veteran with whom the dog is paired;
            (6) provide professional support for all training under the 
        pilot program; and
            (7) provide or refer participants to business courses for 
        managing a service dog training business.
    (e) Veteran Participation.--Veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic 
stress disorder or another post-deployment mental health condition may 
volunteer to participate in the pilot program.
    (f) Hiring Preference.--In hiring service dog training instructors 
for the pilot program, the Secretary shall give a preference to 
veterans who have a post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental 
health condition.
    (g) Collection of Data.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall collect data on the 
        pilot program to determine the effectiveness of the pilot 
        program in positively affecting veterans with post-traumatic 
        stress disorder or other post-deployment mental health 
        condition symptoms and the feasibility and advisability of 
        expanding the pilot program to additional Department of 
        Veterans Affairs medical centers.
            (2) Manner of collection.--Data described in paragraph (1) 
        shall be collected and analyzed using a scientific peer-
        reviewed system, valid and reliable results-based research 
        methodologies, and instruments.
    (h) Reports.--
            (1) Annual reports.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than one year after the 
                date of the commencement of the pilot program and 
                annually thereafter for the duration of the pilot 
                program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
                report on the pilot program.
                    (B) Elements.--Each such report required by 
                subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
                            (i) The number of veterans participating in 
                        the pilot program.
                            (ii) A description of the services carried 
                        out by the Secretary under the pilot program.
                            (iii) The effects that participating in the 
                        pilot program has on veterans with post-
                        traumatic stress disorder and post-deployment 
                        adjustment symptoms.
            (2) Final report.--At the conclusion of the pilot program, 
        the Secretary shall submit to Congress a final report that 
        includes recommendations with respect to the feasibility and 
        advisability of extending or expanding the pilot program.