North Houston News

Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), who chairs the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has introduced a new bill to the U.S. House of Representatives named the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act. This legislation aims to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to issue grants to nonprofit organizations. These grants would support programs that provide service dogs to veterans with various disabilities, thus broadening the scope beyond post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Other conditions to be covered include blindness, deafness, traumatic brain injuries, military sexual trauma, paralysis, and PTSD.

"Service dogs have a proven track record of providing lifesaving assistance to Veterans in critical need," said Bill McCabe, Vice President of Government & External Affairs at K9s For Warriors. He added, "The Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act will ultimately put more service dogs in the hands of Veterans with visible and invisible disabilities, allowing them to regain their independence and reintegrate into civilian life."

Congressman Luttrell emphasized the need for such legislation, stating, "Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and we owe it to them to provide every possible resource to support their recovery and well-being." He also highlighted that service dogs are "life-changing partners" for many veterans, offering them independence and stability.

John Miller, president and CEO of America’s VetDogs and Guide Dog Foundation, expressed his support, noting, "America's VetDogs proudly supports the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act—a crucial step toward expanding access to accredited service dogs for veterans with physical disabilities, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, hearing loss, blindness, and more."

The Act will establish a Department of Veterans Affairs grant program to fund nonprofit organizations. These organizations are required to meet training standards, provide aftercare services, and be accredited by Assistance Dogs International or a similar body. Nonprofits that meet these standards would provide trained service dogs to eligible veterans at no cost.

This piece of legislation is backed by a bipartisan group of co-sponsors and endorsed by various veterans organizations, including AMVETS, America's VetDogs, and the American Kennel Club.