Service Dogs Offer a New Lease on Life For Wounded Veterans with PTSD
Courtesy: MichaelDarby1976 / Pixabay
In August of this year, new legislation was signed into law by President Joe Biden “to provide canine training to eligible veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.”
Known as the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, this new law offers a unique option in addressing the common reasons behind PTSD including military sexual trauma (MST), combat violence and brain injuries.
This Act allows the VA to provide service dogs and provisions for their care to veterans diagnosed with PTSD and other mental health diagnoses.
Research has shown that service dogs can help ease the symptoms of PTSD by reducing anger, anxiety and sleep issues in traumatized veterans.