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Public Law117th CongressArmed Forces and National Security
H.R. 1448Became Law

PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act

This bill became law

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Law

What it doesSummary public law (Aug 25, 2021)

Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act

This bill implements a program and a policy related to service dog therapy for veterans. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a five-year pilot program to provide canine training to eligible veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as an element of a complementary and integrative health program. Eligible veterans are those who are enrolled in the VA health care system and have been recommended for participation by a qualified mental health care provider or clinical team.

The VA must seek to enter agreements containing specified elements with accredited nongovernmental entities that have demonstrated ability to provide canine training.

Veterans who participate in the program are authorized to adopt the dog they assisted in training if their health provider determines it is in the best interest of the veteran.

The VA must establish processes to document and track the progress of participating veterans with respect to health benefits and improvements.

The Government Accountability Office must brief Congress and submit a report on the program.

The bill also authorizes the VA to provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses, regardless of whether they have a mobility impairment.

What just happenedAug 25, 2021

Became Public Law No: 117-37.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Stivers, Steve [R-OH-15](R-OH)Sponsor
317 cosponsors120 D197 R
Read on Congress.gov
317cosponsors2committees31actions2related bills12subjects
  1. Aug 25, 2021President

    Became Public Law No: 117-37.

  2. Aug 25, 2021BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 117-37.

  3. Aug 25, 2021President

    Signed by President.

  4. Aug 25, 2021BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Aug 20, 2021Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Aug 20, 2021President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Aug 9, 2021Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Aug 6, 2021Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.

  9. Aug 6, 2021Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.

  10. Aug 6, 2021Discharge

    Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5990)

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  11. Aug 6, 2021Committee14500

    Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5990)

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  12. May 13, 2021IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  13. May 12, 2021FloorH37300

    Pursuant to section 6 of H. Res. 380, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 297; H.R. 433; H.R. 478; H.R. 586; H.R. 721, as amended; H.R. 768; H.R. 810; H.R. 1205; H.R. 1260, as amended; H.R. 1324; H.R. 1448, as amended; H.R. 1475, as amended; H.R. 1480, as amended; H.R. 2862, as amended; H.R. 2955; and H.R. 2981. (consideration: CR H2235-2246; text: CR H2240)

  14. May 12, 2021Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: Pursuant to section 6 of H. Res. 380, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 297; H.R. 433; H.R. 478; H.R. 586; H.R. 721, as amended; H.R. 768; H.R. 810; H.R. 1205; H.R. 1260, as amended; H.R. 1324; H.R. 1448, as amended; H.R. 1475, as amended; H.R. 1480, as amended; H.R. 2862, as amended; H.R. 2955; and H.R. 2981.(consideration: CR H2235-2246; text: CR H2240)

  15. May 12, 2021FloorH1B000

    Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 380, proceedings on H.R. 1448 are considered vacated.

  16. May 12, 2021FloorH37220

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  17. May 12, 2021FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1448.

  18. May 12, 2021FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2212-2215)

  19. May 12, 2021FloorH30300

    Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  20. May 12, 2021CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 16.

  21. May 12, 2021CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 117-31.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  22. May 12, 2021Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 117-31.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  23. May 4, 2021Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  24. May 4, 2021Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  25. May 4, 2021Committee

    Subcommittee on Health Discharged.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  26. Apr 15, 2021Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Health Subcommittee
  27. Apr 14, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

    Health Subcommittee
  28. Mar 18, 2021CalendarsH12440

    Motion to place bill on Consensus Calendar filed by Mr. Stivers.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  29. Mar 1, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  30. Mar 1, 2021IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  31. Mar 1, 2021IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawAug 25, 202149

Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act

This bill implements a program and a policy related to service dog therapy for veterans. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a five-year pilot program to provide canine training to eligible veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as an element of a complementary and integrative health program. Eligible veterans are those who are enrolled in the VA health care system and have been recommended for participation by a qualified mental health care provider or clinical team.

The VA must seek to enter agreements containing specified elements with accredited nongovernmental entities that have demonstrated ability to provide canine training.

Veterans who participate in the program are authorized to adopt the dog they assisted in training if their health provider determines it is in the best interest of the veteran.

The VA must establish processes to document and track the progress of participating veterans with respect to health benefits and improvements.

The Government Accountability Office must brief Congress and submit a report on the program.

The bill also authorizes the VA to provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses, regardless of whether they have a mobility impairment.

Passed SenateAug 6, 202155

Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act

This bill implements a program and a policy related to service dog therapy for veterans. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a five-year pilot program to provide canine training to eligible veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as an element of a complementary and integrative health program. Eligible veterans are those who are enrolled in the VA health care system and have been recommended for participation by a qualified mental health care provider or clinical team.

The VA must seek to enter agreements containing specified elements with accredited nongovernmental entities that have demonstrated ability to provide canine training.

The Government Accountability Office must brief Congress and submit a report on the program.

The bill also authorizes the VA to provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses, regardless of whether they have a mobility impairment.

Passed HouseMay 12, 202153

Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act

This bill implements a program and a policy related to service dog therapy for veterans. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a five-year pilot program to provide canine training to eligible veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as an element of a complementary and integrative health program. Eligible veterans are those who are enrolled in the VA health care system and have been recommended for participation by a qualified mental health care provider or clinical team.

The VA must seek to enter agreements containing specified elements with accredited nongovernmental entities that have demonstrated ability to provide canine training.

The Government Accountability Office must brief Congress and submit a report on the program.

The bill also authorizes the VA to provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses, regardless of whether they have a mobility impairment.

Introduced in HouseMar 1, 2021

Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act

This bill implements a program and a policy related to service dog therapy for veterans. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a five-year pilot program to assess the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder through a method where veterans train service dogs for veterans with disabilities.

The bill also authorizes the VA to provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses, regardless of whether they have a mobility impairment.

PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act — Informed