Bill > S1441

This bill establishes a five-year pilot program through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award competitive grants to nonprofit organizations for providing service dogs to eligible veterans with specific disabilities or conditions. Eligible veterans include those with visual or hearing impairments, mobility issues, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other conditions that could be effectively managed with a service dog's assistance. Nonprofit entities must submit detailed applications describing their training programs, dog selection process, support services, and marketing strategies. Grants will be capped at $2 million per organization, and recipients are prohibited from charging veterans fees for service dogs. The VA will provide veterinary insurance for each service dog and establish oversight mechanisms to ensure proper grant usage. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to launch the program within 24 months of the act's enactment, with $10 million authorized annually for five consecutive fiscal years. Key goals include helping veterans with disabilities live more independently and improve their quality of life through specialized service dog partnerships. The bill is officially titled the "Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act of 2025" or the "SAVES Act of 2025".

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1441/all-info