Earlier this week, BVA National Executive Director Donald D. Overton, Jr. joined four members of Congress and other proponents of the bipartisan Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act in expressing support for the pending legislation.
The House bill, H.R. 9525, requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award grants in the amount of $10 million annually to nonprofit organizations to assist them in carrying out programs to provide service dogs to eligible veterans. S. 2067, introduced last year in the Senate, contains roughly the same provisions.
Congressional co-sponsors of the legislation sharing the podium with Don at the outdoor briefing on the Capitol grounds were Representatives Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-8), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-3), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI-3), and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), a second co-sponsor in the Senate, was not able to attend. Other bill advocates participating included Daniel Bean, US Navy (Ret) and CEO/Chairman of the Board of K9s for Warriors; Bill McCabe, K9s for Warriors Vice President for Government and External Affairs; PTSD/depression survivor and service dog user David Crenshaw, also a retired Army National Guard Master Sergeant; and Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer for Paralyzed Veterans of America.
If passed, advocates promise, the bill will amount to repayment of a debt to thousands of those who have faithfully served the nation, and who now struggle with the wounds of war. The assistance of a service dog could ultimately save their lives from suicide or provide other lifesaving impacts.
Groups who are accredited to train and work with service dogs could apply for grants to cover the costs of preparing the canines, preparing the veterans, and providing ongoing support to both after they are matched. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would administer the new program in a manner similar to how the Department of Defense has managed its service dog programs in the past.
Check out the full text of H.R. 9525 to capture additional details.
