Tillis, Blumenthal, Luttrell, McGarvey, USAA, and VSOs Urge Congress to Pass Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Service Dogs to Eligible Veterans

Dec 15 2025

Tillis, Blumenthal, Luttrell, McGarvey, USAA, and VSOs Urge Congress to Pass Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Service Dogs to Eligible Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Representative Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), and Representative Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), continued their push to pass the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act, bipartisan legislation that would establish a program to award grants to nonprofit organizations to assist them in carrying out programs to provide service dogs to eligible veterans.

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Additionally, USAA and a coalition of 22 Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, urging them to bring up the SAVES Act for a vote in Congress.

"Long after the fighting on the battlefield ends, too many of the courageous servicemembers come home and continue to battle against enemies that many consider just as insidious as those with guns, grenades, and rockets. That is why in 2021, I introduced the PAWS Act that created a pilot program to provide canine training to eligible veterans, but it is clear we must continue to build on that effort to ensure this program is expanded to veterans in need," said Senator Tillis. "The SAVES Act will allow more veterans who are struggling with the invisible wounds of war to receive service dogs that could ultimately save their lives. We must repay the debt to the men and women who served our country, I hope Congress quickly passes this legislation to provide them with his important resource."

"Our SAVES Act to improve access to service dogs for nation's veterans is long overdue," said Senator Blumenthal. "When military men and women return home from service, they are often fighting invisible battles. These canine companions can offer our veterans comfort, ease their transition back into civilian life, and support their mental and physical health. I'll keep fighting for Congress to pass our bipartisan measure to ensure our veterans can access the essential and even life-saving assistance of service dogs."

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"The SAVES Act establishes a pathway allowing VA to provide service dogs to veterans in need," said Representative Luttrell. "These animals help ease the suffering and give lifesaving and lifechanging support during the transition from the battlefield to the homefront - and beyond."

"Our veterans are willing to put on the uniform and sacrifice everything to keep us safe and free, but that service comes at a cost," said Representative McGarvey. "That brave service oftentimes takes a toll on veterans' physical and mental health, and we've got to do everything we can to support them with tangible, proven solutions like the availability of life-saving service animals. I'm grateful to my colleagues for this bipartisan effort to prioritize the resources our veterans deserve and urge swift passage of this commonsense legislation."

The VSOs who signed the letter include the American Legion, K9s for Warriors, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Student Veterans of America, Operation Freedom Paws, Paws Assisting Veterans (PAVE), The Independence Fund, Canines for Service, Warrior Canine Connection, Hero Dogs, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), paws4people, Hawaii Fi-Do, VFW,DAV, PVA, Soldier's Best Friend, Paws for Purple Hearts, Air Force Sergeant Association, Fleet Reserve Association, Non Commissioned Officers Association, and Paws and Stripes.

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"Service Dogs have a proven track record of providing life-saving assistance to Veterans in critical need," said Daniel Bean, CEO at K9s For Warriors. "As the nation's leading provider of Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma, K9s For Warriors has seen firsthand how these service animals restore hope, stability, and purpose. The SAVES Act will ultimately put more Service Dogs in the hands of Veterans with visible and invisible wounds, allowing them to regain their independence and reintegrate into civilian life. We applaud Senator Tillis, Senator Blumenthal, Congressman Luttrell, and Congressman McGarvey for their unwavering support and urge Congress to pass this important legislation without delay - so even more Veterans can join the 1,200+ Warriors whose lives have already been saved and transformed through our program."

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"The VFW supports the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act of 2025 (S. 1441/H.R. 2605), which allows veterans to receive support companions without having to endure long waitlists," said Meggan Coleman, National Legislative Associate Director at VFW. "Service dogs can assist veterans with various physical, auditory, and trauma-related disabilities, which can empower veterans to regain their independence, pride, and hope. The VFW commends Senator Tillis and Representative Luttrell for introducing this important legislation and looks forward to its swift passage."

"The American Legion strongly supports the SAVES Act, and we are proud to stand with our fellow Veterans Service Organizations in leading a joint letter urging congressional leadership to bring this bipartisan bill to the floor," said Dan K. Wiley, National Commander at American Legion. "For veterans living with PTSD or traumatic brain injury, service dogs provide proven, life-changing support that restores independence, stability, and hope. Expanding access to these programs is a meaningful step toward ensuring every veteran has the tools they need to heal. Congress should act without delay."

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Background:

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It is estimated that upwards of 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans have PTSD and more than 485,000 service members have been diagnosed with at least one traumatic brain injury over the past two decades. As a result, these veterans suffer from alarmingly high rates of depression, anxiety, joblessness, homelessness, substance use disorder and other negative behaviors. Far too often, they resort to taking their own lives - roughly 20 veterans die by suicide each day, nearly one an hour.

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Under the SAVES Act, nonprofit organizations would be required to submit an application to the Secretary that includes a description of the training that will be provided by the organization to eligible veterans; the training of dogs that will serve as service dogs; the aftercare services that the organization will provide for the service dogs and eligible Veteran; the plan for publicizing the availability of service dogs through a marketing campaign; the committee of the organization to have humane standards or animals.

Full text of the letter is available HERE.

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