Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4305) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on dog training therapy, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 4305
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act'' or the ``PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) According to the analyses of veteran suicide published by the Department of Veterans Affairs in August 2016 and titled ``Suicide Among Veterans and Other Americans'', and in June 2018, titled ``VA National Suicide Date Report''--
(A) an average of 20 veterans died by suicide each day in 2014;
(B) mental health disorders, including major depression and other mood disorders, have been associated with increased risk for suicide;
(C) since 2001, the proportion of users of the Veterans Health Administration with mental health conditions or substance use disorders has increased from approximately 27 percent in 2001 to more than 40 percent in 2014; and
(D) overall, suicide rates are highest among patients with mental health and substance use disorder diagnoses who are in treatment and lower among those who received a mental health diagnosis but were not at risk enough to require enhanced care from a mental health provider.
(2) The Department of Veterans Affairs must be more effective in its approach to reducing the burden of veteran suicide connected to mental health disorders, including post- traumatic stress disorder (in this section referred to as ``PTSD''), and new, rigorous scientific research provides persuasive weight to the growing anecdotal evidence that service dogs ameliorate the symptoms associated with PTSD, and in particular, help prevent veteran suicide.
(3) Several organizations have proven track records of training service dogs for veterans with severe PTSD and dramatically improving those veterans' quality of life, ability to re-enter society, and, most importantly, their chances of survival. SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM ON DOG TRAINING THERAPY.
(a) In General.--Commencing not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of the Act, subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary shall make grants to one or more appropriate non- government entities for the purpose of assessing the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder (in this section referred to as ``PTSD'') symptoms through a therapeutic medium of training service dogs for veterans with disabilities.
(b) Duration of Pilot Program.--The pilot program required by subsection (a) shall be carried out during the five-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program.
(c) Conditions on Receipt of Grants.--As a condition of receiving a grant under this section, a non-government entity shall--
(1) submit to the Secretary certification that the entity is an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that--
(A) provides service dogs to veterans with PTSD; and
(B) is accredited by, or adheres to standards comparable to those of, an accrediting organization with demonstrated experience, national scope, and recognized leadership and expertise in the training of service dogs and education in the use of service dogs;
(2) agree to cover all costs in excess of the grant amount;
(3) agree to reaccept or replace the service dog the organization provided to the veteran, if necessary, as determined by the organization and the veteran;
(4) provide a wellness certification from a licensed veterinarian for any dog participating in the program;
(5) employ at least one person with clinical experience related to mental health;
(6) ensure that veterans participating in the pilot program receive training from certified service dog training instructors for a period of time determined appropriate by the organization and the Secretary, including service skills to address or alleviate symptoms unique to veterans' needs;
(7) agree to provide both lectures on service dog training methodologies and practical hands-on training and grooming of service dogs;
(8) agree that in hiring service dog training instructors to carry out training under the pilot program, the non- government entity will give a preference to veterans who have successfully graduated from PTSD or other residential treatment program and who have received adequate certification in service dog training;
(9) agree not to use shock collars or prong collars as training tools and to use positive reinforcement training;
(10) agree that upon the conclusion of training provided using the grant funds--
(A) the veteran who received the training will keep the dog unless the veteran and the veteran's health provider decide it is not in the best interest of the veteran;
(B) if the veteran does not opt to own the dog, the entity will be responsible for caring for and appropriately placing the dog;
(C) the Department of Veterans Affairs will have no additional responsibility to provide for any benefits under this section; and
(D) the Department of Veterans Affairs will have no liability with respect to the dog;
(11) provide follow-up support service for the life of the dog, including a contact plan between the veteran and the entity to allow the veteran to reach out for and receive adequate help with the service dog and the organization to communicate with the veteran to ensure the service dog is being properly cared for; and
(12) submit to the Secretary an application containing such information, certification, and assurances as the Secretary may require.
(d) Veteran Eligibility.--
(1) In general.--For the purposes of this section, an eligible veteran is a veteran who--
(A) is enrolled in the patient enrollment system in the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code;
(B) has been recommended for the pilot program under this section by a qualified health care provider or clinical team based on the medical judgment that the veteran may potentially benefit from participating; and
(C) agrees to successfully complete training provided by an eligible organization that receives a grant under this section.
(2) Relationship to participation in other program.-- Veterans may participate in the pilot program in conjunction with the compensated work therapy program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(3) Continuing eligibility requirement.--To remain eligible to participate in the program, a veteran shall see the health care provider or clinical team of the Department of Veterans Affairs treating the veteran for PTSD at least once every six months to determine, based on a clinical evaluation of efficacy, whether the veteran continues to benefit from the program.
(e) Collection of Data.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall--
(1) develop metrics and other appropriate means to measure, with respect to veterans participation in the program, the improvement in psychosocial function and therapeutic compliance of such veterans and changes with respect to the dependence on prescription narcotics and psychotropic medication of such veterans;
(2) establish processes to document and track the progress of such veterans under the program in terms of the benefits and improvements noted as a result of the program; and
(3) in addition, the Secretary shall continue to collect these data over the course of five years for each veteran who has continued with the dog he or she has personally trained.
(f) GAO Briefing and Study.--
(1) Briefing.--Not later than one year after the date of the commencement of the pilot program under subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States shall provide to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the methodology established for the program.
(2) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date on which the program terminates, the Comptroller General shall submit to the committees specified in paragraph (1) a report on the program. Such report shall include an evaluation of the approach and methodology used for the program with respect to--
(A) helping veterans with severe PTSD return to civilian life;
(B) relevant metrics, including reduction in metrics such as reduction in scores under the PTSD check-list (PCL-5), improvement in psychosocial function, and therapeutic compliance; and
(C) reducing the dependence of participants on prescription narcotics and psychotropic medication.
(g) Definition.--For the purposes of this section, the term ``service dog training instructor'' means an instructor who provides the direct training of veterans with PTSD and other post-deployment issues in the art and science of service dog training and handling.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. TAKANO. 4305, as amended.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act, otherwise known as the PAWS Act, introduced by Representative Stivers of Ohio.
This bill has more than 300 cosponsors, which put it on the Consensus Calendar. It reflects this Chamber's desire to pass legislation addressing veterans' mental health, which I strongly support.
The bill calls for the VA to establish a 5-year pilot program to make grants available to appropriate nongovernmental entities ``for the purpose of assessing the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms through a therapeutic medium of training service dogs for veterans with disabilities.''
Mr. Speaker, I think everyone in this room today can agree that dogs--and animals, more broadly speaking--make great companions. In fact, in 2018, Americans spent $72 billion on their pets. Years of research have illustrated numerous positive health outcomes, such as lowering blood pressure.
I intend to vote ``yes'' on this bill; however, I do have concerns about this bill becoming law before VA's study examining the possible therapeutic benefits of veterans with PTSD receiving either a service dog or an emotional support dog is complete.
Service dogs and emotional support dogs are very different, and it is important that we understand the efficacy of providing veterans with PTSD with either type of dog. Relying on the dog for companionship is far different than using dogs as a form of behavioral health treatment.
Mr. Speaker, like any other treatment, therapy, or pharmaceutical provided to veterans, research must be performed so informed policy and treatment decisions can be made. A draft monograph outlining VA's findings is complete and currently undergoing peer review by the National Academy of Sciences. The VA anticipates having a final report to Congress not later than the end of July 2020.
Before this bill was placed on the Consensus Calendar, I had hoped to wait to have the findings of this study so that we could properly review and mark up this legislation, ensuring veterans receive effective, evidence-based treatments for PTSD.
Mr. Speaker, we are passing this legislation without scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of service dogs for the treatment of PTSD. However, I support this bill because its placement on the Consensus Calendar reflects the will of the Members of this Chamber, and years of research have shown positive health outcomes related to owning dogs for companionship.
When we receive the study, I intend to work with our Senate colleagues to improve and strengthen this legislation so that we can ensure veterans diagnosed with PTSD receive effective treatments.
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4305, as amended, the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act, or the PAWS Act.
This bill is sponsored by Congressman Steve Stivers from Ohio. Steve is a brigadier general in the Army National Guard, where he wore our Nation's uniform for over three decades of service in Ohio and overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Needless to say, he knows firsthand the toll that military service can take and the need to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is equipped to provide our veterans with all the services and supports that they need to not only recover from their wounds of war, but to lead healthy, full, and meaningful lives as civilians. The PAWS Act would provide VA with an additional tool to accomplish that goal by providing grants to organizations to assist veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health challenges through service dog training.
Veterans participating in the program would be paired with a prospective service dog and work with a qualified service dog training instructor to train the dog as a certified service animal. At the conclusion of the training, if the veteran and the veteran's provider agree that it is in the best interests of the veteran, the veteran will be able to keep their dog, or it would be paired with another veteran in need.
The grant program that the PAWS Act would create is based on service dog training therapy programs at Walter Reed National Medical Center in Maryland and the Palo Alto VA Medical Center in California. Both of those programs are well established and have shown remarkably positive anecdotal outcomes for servicemembers and veterans who have gone through them.
It won't come as a surprise to any dog owner--me, included--that the companionship and unconditional love offered by man's best friend has a powerful real-world healing effect. The old saying is, in Washington, ``if you want a friend, get a dog.'' I am glad that this program will expand that effort as well as the unique assistance that trained service dogs provide to more of our Nation's heroes.
This bill is cosponsored by 321 of our House colleagues, a tremendous bipartisan show of support that is reflective of the desire of this body to care for those who have borne the battles and are struggling with invisible injuries as a result.
I am grateful to General Steve Stivers for his hard work getting this bill to the House floor today, and I am happy to support it.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. TAKANO. Sherrill), my good friend.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. TAKANO. Slotkin), my good friend.
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Waltz), an Army veteran from Florida's Sixth Congressional District.
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this needed legislation and I associate my remarks with what Mr. Waltz just stated.
Anyone who has ever had the joy--as I have through my entire life--to have those animals associated with you knows how uplifting and helpful it can be to these people. As has been mentioned many times, we have not been making a dent in our suicide rate, and it is time to start thinking out of the box.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers.
I ask my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 4305, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source