The PAWS ACT, or 'Puppies Assisting Wounded Service members for Veterans Therapy Act,' authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create a pilot program on dog training therapy that will provide dog-training skills and service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses.
The $10 million, five-year pilot program will take effect on Jan. 1, 2022. For the first time in American history, the VA will pay for service dogs for veterans with PTSD.