Congress Must Pass the PAWS Act — Veterans Lives Are At Stake
By: Travis Akers
Tags: Military, Dogs, Veterans, PTSD

Congress Must Pass the PAWS Act — Veterans Lives Are At Stake Travis Akers Mar 4·3 min read

The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act previously gained bi-partisan support in the House, but the Senate failed to take up the bill. Now the PAWS Act is being introduced once again, with even stronger support.

Photo: Twitter

In a press release on Wednesday, Congressman John Rutherford (R-FL-04) announced the reintroduction of H.R. 1022, the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act of 2021.

The PAWS Act will increase access to service dogs for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The bill establishes a competitive grant program through the Department of Veterans Affairs for organizations, such as K9s for Warriors, to pair service dogs with veterans suffering from PTSD. Rutherford is joined in this effort with Representatives Chris Pappas (D-NH-01), Michael Waltz (R-FL-06), Al Lawson (D-FL-05), and Steve Stivers (R-OH-15).

“Making Service Dogs more accessible to veterans will ultimately empower our nation’s heroes to successfully reintegrate into civilian life,” said K9s For Warriors CEO Rory Diamond. “The PAWS Act would commit considerable resources towards properly training and pairing Service Dogs with veterans who would most benefit from them.”

Death by suicide among veterans has continued to increase in recent years. A study conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs identified that veterans accounted for nearly 14% of all suicides from 2005 to 2018. 20 to 22 veterans are currently dying every day in the United States from suicide, and in most cases, it involves a veteran who is suffering from PTSD.

“For many of our returning veterans, often we see that the battle on the frontlines has turned into an inner battle at home,” said Rep. Al Lawson. “Our service men and women sacrifice so much for our freedom, and we must do our part to assist those dealing with invisible illnesses. Through the PAWS Act, these trained Service Dogs will help our nation’s heroes with their mental wellness and make transitioning from active duty to civilian life an easier feat.”

A draft study conducted by the VA has proven that service dogs scientifically reduce suicides among veterans diagnosed with service-related PTSD; however, the VA does not currently fund service dog programs. If the PAWS Act is passed, the VA would be required to create a grant program that pays up to $25,000 for service dogs to eligible veterans.

Rep. Chris Pappas said, “We know that Service Dogs can provide tremendous support to veterans living with PTSD, and I am proud to introduce legislation alongside Congressman Rutherford that will pay for and provide Service Dogs to American veterans to help them recover and thrive.”

Gabriel and Chris (U.S. Army) Photo: K9s For Warriors

This will be the fourth time the legislation has been introduced. The bill passed the House with a bi-partisan majority in 2020, but failed to make it to the Senate floor for a vote. With broad support from both Democrats and Republicans, the bill is expected to pass the House again. With a new Majority Leader in the U.S. Senate, the PAWS Act is more likely to come to a vote.

You can call your U.S. Representative and Senators to express your support of the bill at (202) 224–3121. This essential piece of legislation will save lives!

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1–800–273–8255. The line is available 24 hours every day.