[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1838 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1838
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot
program on service dog training therapy, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
November 9, 2011
Mr. Baucus (for himself, Mr. Boozman, and Mr. Pryor) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot
program on service dog training therapy, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM ON SERVICE DOG
TRAINING.
(a) Pilot Program Required.--Not later than 120 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
commence a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of
using service dog training activities as components of integrated post-
deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder
rehabilitation programs at Department of Veterans Affairs medical
centers--
(1) to positively affect veterans with post-deployment
mental health conditions or post-traumatic stress disorder
symptoms; and
(2) to produce specially trained service dogs for veterans.
(b) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program
during the three-year period beginning on the date of the commencement
of the pilot program.
(c) Location.--
(1) In general.--The pilot program shall be carried out at
one Department of Veterans Affairs medical center selected by
the Secretary for such purpose other than in the Department of
Veterans Affairs Palo Alto health care system in Palo Alto,
California. In selecting medical centers for the pilot program,
the Secretary shall--
(A) ensure that the medical center selected--
(i) has an established mental health
rehabilitation program that includes a clinical
focus on rehabilitation treatment of post-
deployment mental health disorder and post-
traumatic stress disorder; and
(ii) has a demonstrated capability and
capacity to incorporate service dog training
activities into the rehabilitation program; and
(B) shall review and consider using recommendations
published by experienced service dog trainers
regulations in the art and science of basic third-party
dog training and owner-training dogs with regard to
space, equipment, and methodologies.
(2) Participation of rural veterans.--In selecting a
medical center for the pilot program required under subsection
(a), the Secretary shall give special consideration to
Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers that are located
in States that the Secretary considers rural or highly rural.
(d) Design of Pilot Program.--In carrying out the pilot program,
the Secretary shall--
(1) administer the program through the Department of
Veterans Affairs Patient Care Services Office as a
collaborative effort between the Rehabilitation Office and the
Office of Mental Health Services;
(2) ensure that the national pilot program lead of the
Patient Care Services Office has sufficient administrative
experience to oversee the pilot program site;
(3) ensure that dogs selected are healthy and age- and
temperament-appropriate for use in the pilot program;
(4) consider dogs residing in animal shelters or foster
homes for participation in the program if such dogs meet the
service dog candidate selection under this subsection;
(5) ensure that each dog selected for the pilot program--
(A) is taught all basic commands and behaviors;
(B) undergoes public access training; and
(C) receives training specifically tailored to
address the mental health conditions or disabilities of
the veteran with whom the dog is paired;
(6) provide professional support for all training under the
pilot program; and
(7) provide or refer participants to business courses for
managing a service dog training business.
(e) Veteran Participation.--Veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic
stress disorder or another post-deployment mental health condition may
volunteer to participate in the pilot program.
(f) Hiring Preference.--In hiring service dog training instructors
for the pilot program, the Secretary shall give a preference to
veterans who have a post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental
health condition.
(g) Collection of Data.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall collect data on the
pilot program to determine the effectiveness of the pilot
program in positively affecting veterans with post-traumatic
stress disorder or other post-deployment mental health
condition symptoms and the feasibility and advisability of
expanding the pilot program to additional Department of
Veterans Affairs medical centers.
(2) Manner of collection.--Data described in paragraph (1)
shall be collected and analyzed using a scientific peer-
reviewed system, valid and reliable results-based research
methodologies, and instruments.
(h) Reports.--
(1) Annual reports.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the
date of the commencement of the pilot program and
annually thereafter for the duration of the pilot
program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a
report on the pilot program.
(B) Elements.--Each such report required by
subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
(i) The number of veterans participating in
the pilot program.
(ii) A description of the services carried
out by the Secretary under the pilot program.
(iii) The effects that participating in the
pilot program has on veterans with post-
traumatic stress disorder and post-deployment
adjustment symptoms.
(2) Final report.--At the conclusion of the pilot program,
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a final report that
includes recommendations with respect to the feasibility and
advisability of extending or expanding the pilot program.
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