Bill would create dog training program for veteran therapy

Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) has introduced legislation that would establish a dog training program for veterans with post-traumatic stress.

Stivers said the program would help veterans who are dealing with psychological disorders from experiences in combat.

{mosads}”As a nation, we share a moral obligation to care for our veterans when they return home and to provide them with meaningful therapies to help them deal with any service-related issues they may have — whether physical or mental,” Stivers said in a statement. 

“I have personally met veterans whose lives have been dramatically improved through working with a service dog,” Stivers added.

The legislation would establish a pilot program at up to five medical facilities run by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which would coordinate with local therapy dog training organizations. 

The therapy dogs would ultimately be partnered with veterans who have physical disabilities upon completion of training.