(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)
Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a pilot program for assessing the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms through a therapeutic medium of assistance dog training and handling for veterans with disabilities. Requires the pilot program to be carried out at: (1) at least three and not more than five VA medical centers over a five-year period; and (2) centers that provide a training area for educating veterans with mental health conditions in the art and science of assistance dog training and handling. Directs the Secretary, in hiring instructors under the program, to give a preference to veterans who have successfully graduated from PTSD or other residential treatment programs and received certification in assistance dog training.
Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress during the duration of the program.
[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3885 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3885
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot
program on dog training therapy.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 21, 2009
Mr. Brown of South Carolina 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 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 at least three and not more than
five Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers during the five-
year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot
program.
(c) Locations of Pilot Program.--In selecting medical centers for
the pilot program required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
ensure that each medical center selected provides a training area for
educating veterans with mental health conditions in the art and science
of assistance 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.
(d) Design of Pilot Program.--In carrying out the pilot program
under this section, the Secretary 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 all pilot program sites;
(2) establish, for purposes of overseeing the training of
dogs at medical centers selected for the pilot program, 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;
(3) ensure that each pilot program site has certified dog
trainers;
(4) ensure that each assistance dog used in the program is
purpose-bred for assistance dog work and has adequate
temperament and health clearances;
(5) ensure that each assistance dog participating in the
pilot program is taught 90 commands pertaining to assistance
dog skills;
(6) ensure that each assistance dog live at the pilot
program site or a volunteer foster home in the vicinity of such
site while receiving training;
(7) ensure that the pilot program involves both lecture of
assistance dog training methodologies and practical hands-on
training and grooming of assistance dogs; and
(8) ensure that the pilot program is designed to--
(A) maximize the therapeutic benefits to veteran
participating in the program; and
(B) provide well-trained assistance dogs to
veterans with disabilities.
(e) Veteran Eligibility.--A veteran with post-traumatic stress
disorder or other post-deployment mental health condition may volunteer
to participate in the pilot program under subsection (a) if the
Secretary determines that there are adequate program resources
available for such veteran at the pilot program site.
(f) Hiring Preference.--In hiring service dog training instructors
under the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 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 assistance dog training.
(g) 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 and
increase their sense of safety;
(8) building relationship skills;
(9) relaxing the hyper-vigilant survival state;
(10) improving sleep patterns; and
(11) enabling veterans to decrease the use of pain
medication.
(h) 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 by the
Secretary 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.
(i) 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 assistance dog
training and handling.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 111-490.
Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 111-490.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 278.
Mr. Filner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3720-3721)
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DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3885.
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.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3788-3789)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 403 - 4 (Roll no. 298).(text: CR 5/24/2010 H3720-3721)
Roll Call #298 (House)On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 403 - 4 (Roll no. 298). (text: CR 5/24/2010 H3720-3721)
Roll Call #298 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.