Herrera Beutler Helps Pass 'Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act'

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Last week, the U.S. House passed the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act, which was co-sponsored by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler.

“Our brave men and women who have served in uniform know all too well the difficulties of transitioning back to civilian life,” the Battle Ground Republican wrote in a news release. “And with an average of 20 veterans committing suicide every day, and post-traumatic stress impacting up to 30 percent of veterans who have served in conflict, it’s crucial we help veterans gain access to mental health resources and therapy like this.”

The PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act will pair service dogs with veterans.



The PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act will create a pilot program within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to give veterans access to treatment derived from working with service dogs, according to the release.

“The VA will partner with non-profit organizations working with veterans and service dogs to create work-therapy programs to help veterans learn the science of training dogs,” according to the release. “Upon completion of the program, the veterans may adopt the dogs to provide continuing therapy.”