Soldier's Best Friend, a Valley nonprofit, pairs veterans with rescue dogs and allows them to train to treat PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other combat-related issues.
A similar national program was passed by Congress in 2021 called the PAWS Act. It makes it possible for veterans to receive a service animal for post-deployment mental health conditions. The PAWS Act requires the VA to cover the cost of providing a veteran with a service animal.
A five-year pilot program is underway in several U.S. cities, however, no cities in Arizona are on the list.
ABC15 is hearing from a Valley veteran who has made more than 200 trips to Washington D.C. to fight to get the program to our state.
Hear more of his story in the video player above.
