Bob Filner: “I rise today in support of H.R. 3885, the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act. We all recognize how damaging the invisible…”

“I rise today in support of H.R. 3885, the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act. We all recognize how damaging the invisible wounds of war can be. The need for effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder and for other conditions, such as depression and substance abuse, is apparent... This act recognizes and meets this need by exploring an innovative and promising new form of treatment, using the training of service dogs as a therapeutic medium. The bill would require the VA to establish a pilot program where veterans with PTSD, or with other postdeployment mental health conditions, would help train service dogs. Through this pilot program, we can test the potential therapeutic benefits to participating veterans. Similar programs are already in existence within the Palo Alto VA Health Care System and at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence of participants who have reported improved emotional regulation, regular sleep patterns, feelings of personal safety, and reduced levels of anxiety and social isolation.”