PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 16, 2016
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act of 2016
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation, to carry out a five-year pilot program under which the VA shall provide service dogs and veterinary health insurance to certain veterans who: (1) served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001; and (2) were diagnosed with, and continue to suffer from, post-traumatic stress disorder.
The provision of a service dog shall be done in addition to other types of treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and shall not replace established treatment modalities.
People & committees
Rep. DeSantis, Ron [R-FL-6] · R–FL
Legislative record
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Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 12, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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