STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Rep. Michael Grimm's Veterans Dog Therapy Training Act passed the House yesterday, a "win-win" for vets suffering from PTSD and others who are disabled.
Under the legislation, veterans will be able to address their post-traumatic stress disorder through therapeutic dog training and handling. The trained service dogs will then be given to physically disabled veterans to help them meet their daily challenges.
"This type of program, that allows veterans to help veterans, could have a tremendous impact in New York," said Grimm (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn). "Ideally, I'd like to see [it] established at the Brooklyn VA Hospital, which provides care for many of the veterans in my district."
Specifically, the legislation establishes a pilot program in VA medical centers for educating veterans with mental health conditions in the art and science of training and handling therapy dogs. It also calls for an assessment of the benefits to the veterans, as well as encouraging the use of shelter dogs.
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