Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on dog training therapy. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act 2. Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program on dog training therapy (a) In general Commencing not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of the Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary shall enter into a contract with one or more appropriate non-government entities for the purpose of assessing the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms through a therapeutic medium of training service dogs for veterans with disabilities. Such program shall be carried out through the Center for Compassionate Innovation of the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (b) Duration of pilot program The pilot program required by subsection (a) shall be carried out during the five-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program. (c) Locations of pilot program In entering into contracts for purposes of the pilot program, the Secretary shall seek to enter into contracts with appropriate non-government entities located in close proximity to at least three but not more than five medical centers of the Department. (d) Appropriate non-Government entities For purposes of the pilot program, an appropriate non-government entity is an entity that is certified in the training and handling of service dogs. (e) Training area The Secretary shall provide to a non-government entity with which the Secretary enters into a contract under this section access to a training area in a facility of the Department that would be appropriate for use in educating veterans with mental health conditions in the art and science of service dog training and handling. Such training area shall— (1) include a dedicated space that is suitable for grooming and training dogs indoors; (2) be wheelchair accessible; (3) include classroom or lecture space; (4) include office space for staff; (5) include a suitable space for storing training equipment; (6) provide for periodic use of other training areas for training the dogs with wheelchairs and conducting other exercises; (7) include outdoor exercise and toileting space for dogs; and (8) provide transportation for weekly field trips to train dogs in other environments. (f) Design of pilot program Each contract entered into under subsection (a) shall provide that the non-government entity shall— (1) employ at least one person with clinical experience related to mental health; (2) ensure that veterans participating in the program receive training from certified service dog training instructors; (3) ensure that each service dog in training participating in the pilot program is taught all essential commands pertaining to service dog skills; (4) ensure that the pilot program involves both lecture of service dog training methodologies and practical hands-on training and grooming of service dogs; and (5) ensure that the pilot program is designed to— (A) maximize the therapeutic benefits to veterans participating in the program; and (B) provide well-trained service dogs to veterans with disabilities; and (6) in hiring service dog training instructors to carry out training under the pilot program, give a preference to veterans who have successfully graduated from post-traumatic stress disorder or other residential treatment programs and who have received adequate certification in service dog training. (g) Administration In order to carry out the pilot program under section (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— (1) administer the program through the Center for Compassionate Innovation of the Veterans Health Administration of the Department in collaboration with the Recreation Therapy Service of the Department under the direction of a certified recreational therapist with sufficient administrative experience to help oversee the pilot program; and (2) establish a director of therapeutic service dog training with a background working in social services, experience in teaching others to train service dogs in a vocational setting, and at least one year of experience working with veterans or active duty service members with post-traumatic stress disorder in a clinical setting. (h) Veteran eligibility The Secretary shall select veterans for participation in the pilot program. A veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder or other post-deployment mental health condition may volunteer to participate in the pilot program, if the Secretary determines that there are adequate program resources available for such veteran at the pilot program site. Veterans may participate in the pilot program in conjunction with the compensated work therapy program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (i) Collection of data The Secretary shall collect data on the pilot program required under subsection (a) to determine how effective the program is for the veterans participating in the program. Such data shall include data to determine how effectively the program assists veterans in— (1) reducing stigma associated with post-traumatic stress disorder or other post-deployment mental health condition; (2) improving emotional regulation; (3) improving patience; (4) instilling or re-establishing a sense of purpose; (5) providing an opportunity to help fellow veterans; (6) reintegrating into the community; (7) exposing the dog to new environments and in doing so, helping the veteran reduce social isolation and withdrawal; (8) building relationship skills, including parenting skills; (9) relaxing the hyper-vigilant survival state; (10) improving sleep patterns; and (11) enabling veterans to decrease the use of pain medication. (j) Reports to Congress Not later than one year after the date of the commencement of the pilot program under subsection (a), and each year thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. Each such report shall include— (1) the number of veterans participating in the pilot program; (2) a description of the services carried out under the pilot program; (3) the effects that participating in the pilot program has on the following— (A) symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and post-deployment adjustment difficulties, including depression, maintenance of sobriety, suicidal ideations, and homelessness; (B) potentially relevant physiological markers that possibly relate to the interactions with the service dogs; (C) family dynamics; (D) insomnia and pain management; and (E) overall well-being; and (4) the recommendations of the Secretary with respect to the extension or expansion of the pilot program. (k) Definition For the purposes of this section, the term service dog training instructor

Summary: Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a five-year pilot program to assess the effectiveness of addressing veterans' post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms through the therapeutic medium of training service dogs for veterans with disabilities. The VA shall: seek to enter into contracts with non-government entities that are certified in the training and handling of service dogs and that are located in close proximity to at least three but not more than five VA medical centers, provide such entities access to a training area in a VA facility that would be appropriate for use in educating veterans with mental health conditions in service dog training and handling, administer the program through the Center for Compassionate Innovation of the Veterans Health Administration in collaboration with the Recreation Therapy Service under the direction of a certified recreational therapist, and establish a director of therapeutic service dog training. Veterans may participate in the program in conjunction with the VA's compensated work therapy program.