[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 163 (Tuesday, December 18, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S8139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KERRY:
  S. 3689. A bill to establish a grant program to encourage the use of 
assistance dogs by certain members of the Armed Forces and veterans, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, today, I am introducing the Senior Airman 
Michael Malarsie Act to increase the number of assistance dogs 
available to disabled servicemembers and veterans.
  I met Senior Airman Malarsie earlier this year, and his story and 
perseverance have inspired this legislation. In 2008, during a 
deployment to Afghanistan, Senior Airman Malarsie was seriously injured 
and blinded by an improvised explosive device. Blinded in both eyes, 
Senior Airman Malarsie was placed on a waiting list for several months 
before he was paired with his guide dog, Xxon. Only through generous 
donations totaling $45,000, Senior Airman Malarsie was able to receive 
a guide dog. Unfortunately, too often our wounded warriors must wait 
several months before receiving assistance dogs. According to 
Assistance Dogs International, last year there was a backlog of 188 
veterans waiting for placement. I strongly believe we must do more so 
that they do not wait months for a trained assistance dog.
  The bill will create a joint grant program between the Department of 
Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to assist qualified 
assistance dog agencies provide trained dogs to covered servicemembers 
and veterans. The competitive grant program would be used for dogs that 
assist with specific disabilities such as hearing loss, mobility loss, 
visual impairment, and post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic 
brain injury. A portion of each grant would be used for evaluation to 
ensure that grant funds are being used properly and that each member or 
veteran is provided with best trained dog possible. This bill 
authorizes $15 million for the competitive grant program.
  The number of veterans who require the assistance of assistance dogs 
is expected to increase as military members returning from combat are 
diagnosed with disabilities. The non-profit organizations that train 
and provide the service dogs free of charge to veterans cannot keep up 
with the surge of returning wounded warriors. Each service dog can cost 
up to $45,000 to train, and assistance dog organizations must rely on 
grants and the generosity of individuals, foundations, and corporations 
for funding. Through a competitive grant program, this bill will 
increase the number of assistance dogs available for veterans and 
active-duty members and decrease the waiting time for disabled warriors 
waiting for assistance. We must do more than watch as our servicemen 
return home from war and are forced to wait several months for an 
assistance dog simply due to a lack of funds.
  A number of organizations are supportive of this bill, including the 
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Disabled Veterans 
National Foundation, The Retired Enlisted Association, and Military 
Exits.
  I look forward to continued progress in assisting our wounded 
warriors and ask all of my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.

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