VA Won’t Help Pay For Service Dogs For Vets With PTSD
The Department of Veterans Affairs says it will study what effect specially trained service dogs can have on the lives of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. It takes more than two years and costs about $30,000 to train such a dog.
NPR:
Veterans Say Trained Dogs Help With PTSD, But The VA Won't Pay
Service dogs are often trained to help veterans with physical disabilities. Now, a growing number are being trained to meet the demand from vets with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues. So far, though, the Department of Veterans Affairs won't help pay for service dogs for PTSD, citing a lack of scientific evidence. But it's launching a study to find out what effect specially trained service dogs can have on the lives of veterans with PTSD. (Silverman, 1/4)
