[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E433-E434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE K-9 COMPANION CORPS ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAZIE K. HIRONO

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 8, 2011

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that 
would establish a

[[Page E434]]

grant program to encourage the use of assistance dogs by members of our 
Armed Forces and veterans.
  Tens of thousands of our service members and veterans are struggling 
to cope with physical or mental health disabilities. Assistance dogs 
help these men and women lead more independent lives, assisting with 
mobility and balance, retrieving and carrying objects, responding to 
sounds, getting help, and providing social interaction and 
companionship. Trained dogs also offer many therapeutic benefits to 
soldiers and veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder by elevating 
their moods, building confidence, and reducing stress, all of which 
assist them in their transition back to civilian life.
  Nonprofit organizations that train and provide assistance dogs to 
help our military personnel and veterans are receiving more and more 
requests. Groups throughout the country--including Hawaii Fi-Do Service 
Dogs in my congressional district--train and provide dogs for returning 
soldiers and veterans but rely on fundraising and volunteer staff to 
meet the growing demand.
  The K-9 Companion Corps Act would provide competitive grants to build 
the capacity of nonprofit organizations whose mission is to address the 
physical and mental health needs of the men and women who have served 
our nation so honorably through the dogs they train and provide.
  I thank my former colleague, Congressman Ron Klein of Florida, for 
his work on this bill last Congress and for his unwavering commitment 
to our military personnel, veterans, and their families.

                          ____________________