Roger Marshall: “Tonight the House will vote to pass the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, which will create a program within the VA to give…”

“Tonight the House will vote to pass the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, which will create a program within the VA to give veterans access to treatment by working with service dogs. Midwest Battle Buddies is an organization based in Kansas that works with veterans who are suffering from PTSD or other service-related issues. The veterans are paired with a dog and attend weekly sessions to train the dogs. Once the training is completed, the dogs become their service dogs. According to Chip Neumann, president of the organization, therapy dogs provide veterans unconditional love. They do not judge their owners when they have breakdowns from stress or external triggers and can react and intervene if the veteran is having an episode and can often prevent them from spiraling out of control. There is just something wonderful about dogs, as we all know. The training sessions also act as mini therapy sessions, as veterans realize they are with others dealing with the same issues. Midwest Battle Buddies has seen the possible impact service dog therapy can have for our cherished veterans. I look forward to passing the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act to extend access to service dog therapy throughout the VA, to provide the best treatment for America's veterans. ____________________”