Amata Champions Service Dogs for Veterans, Expanding On Prior Legislative Efforts 

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, who serves as Vice Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC), is delighted to be part of the introduction of the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act in the U.S. House of Representatives by a bipartisan group of 24 Members of Congress.

“I’ve gladly cosponsored other bills in previous Congresses, such as the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, to encourage this wonderful work for our Veterans, in providing trained Service Dogs that are a blessing to many Veterans’ lives, but now this bill expands on these efforts in important new ways to reach many more needs,” said Vice Chairman Amata. 

Under this legislation, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs would award grants to nonprofit organizations to assist with programs to provide service dogs to eligible veterans, including training for the service dogs, and extending the availability of this program to veteran disabilities, such as blind, deaf, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), military sexual trauma, paralysis, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The PAWS for Veterans Act, signed into law in 2021 after four years of congressional efforts, put a focus on Veterans learning to train their own or others’ dogs, and included a successful pilot program. 

The new Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act is led by sponsor Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) with Morgan McGarvey (D-KY) co-leading the legislation. Original cosponsors are Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (American Samoa), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Eleanor Norton Holmes (D-DC), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Don Davis (D-NC), David Valadao (R-CA), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Wesley Hunt (R-TX), John Rutherford (R-NE), Jason Crow (D-CO), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Michael Rulli (R-OH), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Craig Goldman (R-TX), August Pfluger (R-TX), Nick LaLota (R-NY).

Upwards of 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, and more than 450,000 service members have been diagnosed with at least one traumatic brain injury over the past two decades. As a result, these veterans suffer from high rates of depression, anxiety, joblessness, homelessness, and substance use disorders, and tragically, on average nearly 17 veterans die by suicide each day. 

Tens of thousands of service dogs help veterans with disabilities across the United States. Service dogs assist with conditions like blindness, mobility impairments, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury. This bipartisan bill establishes a VA grant program to fund nonprofit organizations providing trained service dogs to eligible veterans at no cost. The nonprofits must meet requirements, including training standards and aftercare services, and be accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or a similar organization. The program aims to support veterans with disabilities like PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma, and more.

Numerous veterans organizations have endorsed this legislation: American Veterans (AMVETS), Americas Warrior Partnership (AWP), American Kennel Club (AKC), American Humane, Americas VetDogs, Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), Chief Warrant Officers Association (CWOA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Dog Tag Buddies, Elizabeth Dole Foundation (EDF), Guardian Angels, HunterSeven Foundation, Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Jewish War Veterans of America (JWV), K9s For Warriors, Lions Club International, National Military Families Association (NMFA), Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Pet Advocacy Network, Retrieving Freedom, Semper K9 Assistance Dogs, The American Legion (TAL), The Independence Fund (TIF), Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), TREA: The Enlisted Association (TREA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Warrior Canine Connection, Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

“This is about giving our heroes the tools they need to thrive — not just survive —when they come home,” said Congressman Luttrell.

“As a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and proud grandson of veterans, I know we need to do more to help our veterans address both the visible and invisible wounds of war. These brave men and women put on the uniform to defend our freedom and we have a moral obligation to support them,” said Congressman McGarvey.

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