Public Law 117–37: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on dog training therapy, and to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses who do not have mobility impairments.

The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) for a 5-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program.

The Secretary shall ensure that such pilot program is carried out by not fewer than five medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs located in geographically diverse areas.

submits to the Secretary certification that the entity is an accredited service dog training organization;

agrees to ensure that veterans participating in the pilot program under subsection (a) receive training from certified service dog training instructors for a period of time determined appropriate by the entity;

agrees to ensure that veterans participating in such pilot program are prohibited from having access to a dog under 135 STAT. 330 such pilot program at any time during such participation without the supervision of a certified service dog training instructor;

agrees to ensure that veterans participating in such pilot program receive training in skills unique to the needs of the veteran to address or alleviate PTSD symptoms of the veteran;

agrees not to use shock collars or prong collars as training tools and to use positive reinforcement training; and

agrees to provide any follow-up training support specified in subsection (e)(2), as applicable.

A veteran who has participated in the pilot program under subsection (a) may adopt a dog that the veteran assisted in training during such pilot program if the veteran and the veteran’s health provider (in consultation with the entity that provided the canine training with respect to the dog under such pilot program) determine that it is in the best interest of the veteran.

If a veteran adopts a dog under paragraph (1), the entity that provided the canine training with respect to the dog under the pilot program shall provide follow-up training support for the life of the dog. Such support shall include the provision of a contact plan between the veteran and the entity that enables the veteran to seek and receive assistance from the entity to ensure the dog is being properly cared for.

develop metrics and other appropriate means to measure, with respect to veterans participating in the pilot program under subsection (a)—

establish processes to document and track the progress of such veterans under the pilot program with respect to health benefits and improvements.

whether to extend or make permanent the pilot program; and135 STAT. 331

the feasibility and advisability of expanding the pilot program to address mental health conditions other than PTSD.

Not later than 1 year after the date of the commencement of the pilot program under subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States shall provide to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the methodology established for the pilot program.

Not later than 270 days after the date on which the pilot program terminates, the Comptroller General shall submit to the committees specified in paragraph (1) a report on the pilot program.

Evaluation.

Such report shall include an evaluation of the approach and methodology used for the pilot program with respect to—

The term “” means an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that—

The term “” means a veteran who—

The term “” means an instructor who provides the direct training of veterans with PTSD in the art and science of service dog training and handling.

is amended

adding