Lawmakers float grant program to get service dogs to struggling vets

BONUS FOR THE VETERAN OF THE VETERAN SHARE OF THE DAY

Lawmakers float grant program to get service dogs to struggling vets
By Leo Shane III
Wednesday, Jun 21
A service dog visits with members of the 139th Airlift Wing. (Airman 1st Class Audrey Chappell/Air National Guard)

Lawmakers on Wednesday unveiled a new proposal to use community grants to pair service dogs with struggling veterans, in the hopes the companionship will help solve a host of transition difficulties.

The bipartisan Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act comes two years after Congress approved similar legislation that advocates say proved too limited to connect canines and veterans. The new legislation would set aside $10 million annually for nonprofit groups who have trained the dogs and handlers to work with veterans seeking their services.

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