Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost), my great friend, for yielding me time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act.

I am a proud original cosponsor on General Stivers' bill. This bipartisan bill supports veterans who are suffering from TBI and PTSD, and it helps them to live better and more fulfilling lives. And it does this with the assistance of man's best friend.

Dog owners around the world will tell you of the special connection between humans and their canine companions. The PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act harnesses that unique bond in a way to serve those who have suffered the invisible injuries of war.

Service dogs have already been established as a proven therapy for PTSD and other related challenges. Today's legislation not only would allow these veterans to adopt a service dog but also give them the opportunity to take part in the training of that dog.

Simply put, the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act will save lives.

I have seen firsthand what a service dog can mean to a veteran struggling with PTSD. In northeast Florida, we are blessed to have a group called K9s for Warriors, which pairs trained service dogs with veterans.

During my visits to K9s for Warriors, I have often had the opportunity to speak with these veterans and listen to their personal testimonies of survival. Many have told me: But for that dog, I would be dead today.

Last Congress, we passed the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act out of the House, but we were not successful in getting it through the Senate. That means, with around 20 veterans taking their lives each day, we have since lost 7,300 veterans' lives since we passed it last year.

We cannot allow that to happen again. I call on the Senate to join the House and pass this bill and get it to the President's desk to become law.

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