[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 359 Introduced in House (IH)]
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 359
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot
program on dog training therapy.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 14, 2015
Mr. Stivers (for himself and Mr. Walz) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot
program on dog training therapy.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act''.
SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM ON DOG TRAINING
THERAPY.
(a) In General.--Commencing not later than 120 days after the date
of the enactment of the Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary shall enter into a
contract with one or more appropriate non-government entities for the
purpose of assessing the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment
mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms through a
therapeutic medium of training service dogs for veterans with
disabilities.
(b) Duration of Pilot Program.--The pilot program required by
subsection (a) shall be carried out during the five-year period
beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program.
(c) Locations of Pilot Program.--In entering into contracts for
purposes of the pilot program, the Secretary shall seek to enter into
contracts with appropriate non-government entities located in close
proximity to at least three but not more than five medical centers of
the Department.
(d) Appropriate Non-Government Entities.--For purposes of the pilot
program, an appropriate non-government entity is an entity that is
certified in the training and handling of service dogs and that has a
training area that would be appropriate for use in educating veterans
with mental health conditions in the art and science of service dog
training and handling. Such training area shall--
(1) include a dedicated space that is suitable for grooming
and training dogs indoors;
(2) be wheelchair accessible;
(3) include classroom or lecture space;
(4) include office space for staff;
(5) include a suitable space for storing training
equipment;
(6) provide for periodic use of other training areas for
training the dogs with wheelchairs and conducting other
exercises;
(7) include outdoor exercise and toileting space for dogs;
and
(8) provide transportation for weekly field trips to train
dogs in other environments.
(e) Design of Pilot Program.--Each contract entered into under
subsection (a) shall provide that the non-government entity shall--
(1) ensure that veterans participating in the program
receive training from certified service dog training
instructors;
(2) ensure that in selecting assistance dogs for use in the
program, dogs residing in animal shelters or foster homes are
looked at as an option, if appropriate, and ensure that all
dogs used in the program have adequate temperament and health
clearances;
(3) ensure that each service dog in training participating
in the pilot program is taught all essential commands
pertaining to service dog skills;
(4) ensure that each service dog in training lives at the
pilot program site or a volunteer foster home in the vicinity
of such site while receiving training;
(5) ensure that the pilot program involves both lecture of
service dog training methodologies and practical hands-on
training and grooming of service dogs; and
(6) ensure that the pilot program is designed to--
(A) maximize the therapeutic benefits to veterans
participating in the program; and
(B) provide well-trained service dogs to veterans
with disabilities; and
(7) in hiring service dog training instructors to carry out
training under the pilot program, give a preference to veterans
who have successfully graduated from post-traumatic stress
disorder or other residential treatment programs and who have
received adequate certification in service dog training.
(f) Administration.--In order to carry out the pilot program under
section (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall--
(1) administer the program through the Recreation Therapy
Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs under the
direction of a certified recreational therapist with sufficient
administrative experience to oversee the pilot program; and
(2) establish a director of service dog training with a
background working in social services, experience in teaching
others to train service dogs in a vocational setting, and at
least one year of experience working with veterans or active
duty service members with post-traumatic stress disorder in a
clinical setting.
(g) Veteran Eligibility.--The Secretary shall select veterans for
participation in the pilot program. A veteran with post-traumatic
stress disorder or other post-deployment mental health condition may
volunteer to participate in the pilot program, if the Secretary
determines that there are adequate program resources available for such
veteran at the pilot program site. Veterans may participate in the
pilot program in conjunction with the compensated work therapy program
of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(h) Collection of Data.--The Secretary shall collect data on the
pilot program required under subsection (a) to determine how effective
the program is for the veterans participating in the program. Such data
shall include data to determine how effectively the program assists
veterans in--
(1) reducing stigma associated with post-traumatic stress
disorder or other post-deployment mental health condition;
(2) improving emotional regulation;
(3) improving patience;
(4) instilling or re-establishing a sense of purpose;
(5) providing an opportunity to help fellow veterans;
(6) reintegrating into the community;
(7) exposing the dog to new environments and in doing so,
helping the veteran reduce social isolation and withdrawal;
(8) building relationship skills, including parenting
skills;
(9) relaxing the hyper-vigilant survival state;
(10) improving sleep patterns; and
(11) enabling veterans to decrease the use of pain
medication.
(i) Reports to Congress.--Not later than one year after the date of
the commencement of the pilot program under subsection (a), and each
year thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. Each such
report shall include--
(1) the number of veterans participating in the pilot
program;
(2) a description of the services carried out under the
pilot program;
(3) the effects that participating in the pilot program has
on the following--
(A) symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and
post-deployment adjustment difficulties, including
depression, maintenance of sobriety, suicidal
ideations, and homelessness;
(B) potentially relevant physiological markers that
possibly relate to the interactions with the service
dogs;
(C) family dynamics;
(D) insomnia and pain management; and
(E) overall well-being; and
(4) the recommendations of the Secretary with respect to
the extension or expansion of the pilot program.
(j) Definition.--For the purposes of this section, the term
``service dog training instructor'' means an instructor who provides
the direct training of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and
other post-deployment issues in the art and science of service dog
training and handling.
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