Posted on Aug 26, 2016
New bill would force VA to pay for service dogs for vets with PTSD
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WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Leaders from K9s for Warriors just returned from lobbying in Washington D.C. They are pushing for the VA to pay for service dogs to help veterans with extreme PTSD. Executive Director Rory Diamond says the VA has refused to recognize how effective the dogs are.
Congressman Ron DeSantis from Florida is sponsoring a bill to force the VA to implement at $10 million dollar pilot program to pay $27,000 per dog to certified training organizations. He says it’s cost effective in the long run. His office cites a congressional budget figure of $8,000 for the first year alone to treat a vet with PTSD.
Diamond says he believes the VA is just “wrong” when it comes to saying there’s no research that service dogs can be pivotal in successful treatment of PTSD. He says the VA’s solution of giving sometimes 30-40 meds a day to a veteran doesn’t work. He says, “I think it numbs their pain. Perhaps keeps a warrior quiet. But it doesn’t give a little girl her dad back. The meds don’t give a warrior their life back.”
Diamond says out of 217 graduates so far from K9s for Warriors, not a single one has committed suicide.
As for the money if the bill passes? Diamond says K9s for Warriors does not take government money. But the non-profit’s board would have to make a decision about this pilot project.
Diamond says no matter what, it’s a “huge breakthrough” for veterans with PTSD.
Congressman Ron DeSantis from Florida is sponsoring a bill to force the VA to implement at $10 million dollar pilot program to pay $27,000 per dog to certified training organizations. He says it’s cost effective in the long run. His office cites a congressional budget figure of $8,000 for the first year alone to treat a vet with PTSD.
Diamond says he believes the VA is just “wrong” when it comes to saying there’s no research that service dogs can be pivotal in successful treatment of PTSD. He says the VA’s solution of giving sometimes 30-40 meds a day to a veteran doesn’t work. He says, “I think it numbs their pain. Perhaps keeps a warrior quiet. But it doesn’t give a little girl her dad back. The meds don’t give a warrior their life back.”
Diamond says out of 217 graduates so far from K9s for Warriors, not a single one has committed suicide.
As for the money if the bill passes? Diamond says K9s for Warriors does not take government money. But the non-profit’s board would have to make a decision about this pilot project.
Diamond says no matter what, it’s a “huge breakthrough” for veterans with PTSD.
New bill would force VA to pay for service dogs for vets with PTSD
Posted from firstcoastnews.comPosted in these groups: 
PTSD
Service Dogs
PTSD Service Dogs
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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Sgt David G Duchesneau
Sgt Gus Laskaris - Well my brother, who cares how much it cost the VA. Hell, they waste money all the time on garbage. If a dog can help a Vet cope with PTSD then I for one am all for it. I have a fried that was a SEAL and did three tours in Nam and the VA got him a black Lab and its the best therapy that he ever received from them. I also have been offered a dog from the VA, either a pup or a full grown dog, but I went out and got myself a yellow Lab before they made their offer. I think that if any Vet who suffers from PTSD gets offered a dog, then damn it all, go for it! You will be pleasantly surprised at the results. Stay well , my brothers and sisters , and if the VA offers you anything at all, take it and don't ask questions because we all deserve whatever the VA offers us. Just my two cents!
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Sgt David G Duchesneau
Sgt Gus Laskaris - Well my brother, all I can say is consider yourself lucky that you have an income and job that you can afford to pay that "huge check" to the IRS. My opinion is that it's still a good VA benefit!
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Sgt David G Duchesneau
Sgt Gus Laskaris - Good for you Gus, I'm sure that everyone is just as proud of you as you are. I don't brag but I also make real good money. I have two retirements, two homes and a Lake House and all the toys and I own my own business now and it's just a fact of life that the more we make, the more we pay. Death and taxes are the only two things that are certain in life. Get use to it and count your blessings brother. :)
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Sgt David G Duchesneau
Sgt Gus Laskaris - You are dreaming brother because that is never going to happen and you know it. We do not live in a European Country so why worry about shit that you can't control. Let me give you a good piece of advice because I've been around awhile, done a lot and I've been around the World. Be thankful for your good fortune and what you've accomplished in life and what you got and just don't worry about your money. Worrying doesn't get you anywhere and believe me, money does not buy you happiness. Stay well my friend and enjoy your journey in life. It's the only one that you are going to have. And by the way Gus, one of my past careers that I had was proudly served was working 20 years as a State Trooper. I learnt a long time ago to work for the system because the system does give back and I love it. When you hear the word justice it means just what it says, just us! SEMPER FI Gus!
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