Connecting Veterans with PTSD with Service Dogs

PURPOSE:

• To examine the benefits service dogs can provide to veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• To question the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on its existing policy and issues related to its problematic study.

BACKGROUND:

• The FY2010 National Defense Authorization Act authorized the VA to conduct a three-year study on the costs and benefits of providing service dogs to veterans with PTSD and other mental-health problems.
• According to the VA, the study has undergone “multiple significant and unexpected challenges.”
• To date, the VA has only paired 40 dogs with veterans.