BVA this week expressed support for the bipartisan Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act, a new proposal to use community grants to pair service dogs with struggling veterans with the hope that the companionship will solve a multitude of transition difficulties. The bill was introduced by Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM). 

“The tremendous benefits and transformative effects service dogs provide to veterans experiencing visual impairments, as well as those diagnosed with other physical and/or psychological wounds of military service is becoming more and more evident,” said BVA Executive Director Don Overton, quoted in a press release issued by the office of Senator Tillis. 

“Improved independence, increased social interaction, reduced stress, and enhanced family relationships are but a few of the benefits realized by service dog handlers,” he continued. “We express our gratitude to Senators Tillis, Blumenthal, Cramer, and Heinrich for their bipartisan introduction of the SAVES Act and call on Congressional leadership to prioritize this initiative, thus honoring the tremendous sacrifice our nation’s blinded and disabled veterans have made in defense of our great nation.”  

The SAVES Act comes two years after Congress approved similar legislation (The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act) that many now believe was too limited. 

To read additional comments about the bill from BVA’s sister organizations in a press release distributed on Wednesday by Senator Tillis’ office, click here. To obtain the full content of the bill, click here.