Each year as a nation, we reserve November 11 to honor the service of our Veterans. Our POTA family has a rich history of military service from grandfathers serving in WWI, fathers serving in WWII and Korea, brothers serving during Vietnam and a brother during the war on Iraq. It’s easy to see, the mission of service is in our DNA. That is why part of Paws on the Avenue’s mission is to give back to our community by advocating for the animals through education, adoption, and fundraising. We thank all who have served for their service.
This year Veterans who live with post deployment mental health conditions will soon receive additional resources through the bipartisan congressional legislation called the “Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veteran Therapy Act” which passed in September, 2021 and signed into law by President Biden. The “PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act” requires the US Dept of Veterans Affairs to conduct a 5 year pilot program on dog training therapy and authorizes the VA to provide service dogs to certain qualifying veterans.
Veterans with mental illness in the pilot program will receive dog-training skills and service dogs, regardless of any mobility issues. The Executive Dir of the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans in Arlington, VA, Jeremiah Blocker, is thrilled to see the many years of effort come to fruition as service dogs become a mental health treatment option for so many additional Veterans in need.
“We are grateful to leaders in Congress who supported our veterans by passing this important legislation,” Blocker said. “Veterans’ lives will be saved, quality of life will improve and positive outcomes will result from the passage of the PAWS Act.”
The Dept of Veterans Affairs reports, the percentage of veterans with mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders increased from 27% in 2001 to more than 40% in 2014. It is a sad fact that has continued from 2014 to today that an average of 20 veterans per day died by suicide.
The goal of PAWS for Veteran Therapy Act is to reduce veteran suicide for those veterans suffering with PTSD and other post-deployment issues by utilizing service dogs. Dog therapy programs have been a proven success model in reducing symptoms that come with PTSD. Now more paws can come to the rescue by providing a needed survival life line to improve the quality of life and ability of servicemembers who struggle with mental health issues to re-enter society with a new partner, one with a wet nose and unconditional love.
U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a Republican from North Dakota, said the bill is a win for veterans who live with post-deployment mental health conditions.
“Many veterans with mobility impairments have had their lives changed – in some cases, saved – by service dogs,” said Cramer. “Our bill would expand this treatment by launching a pilot program to make veterans with mental health issues such as depression eligible to receive service dogs.”
Retired Marine Corp Master Sargeant Tony, and his dog Cliff
Written By: Michelle Sylvester