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.