Authorizes the division of veterans' affairs to provide eligible veterans with financial assistance for purchasing, training and the upkeep of service dogs and emotional support dogs

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to authorizing the division of veterans' affairs to provide eligible veterans with financial assistance for purchasing, training and the upkeep of service dogs and emotional support dogs

Purpose of bill

This bill will establish a program within the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs to provide grant assistance to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and/or traumatic brain injuries for the purchase, training, and upkeep of service dogs or emotional support dogs.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: Adds a new section 368-a to the executive law that: defines the terms "service dog" and "emotional support dog" for the purposes of this new section; directs the Division of Veterans' Affairs to provide grant assistance to eligible veterans for up to $7,500 for the purchase and training of a service dog from an organization providing service dogs, or up to $5,000 for the purchase and training of a service dog from a professional service dog trainer or an owner-trainer, as well as up to $50 a month for the continued upkeep of the service dog; directs the Division of Veterans' Affairs to provide grant assistance of up to $500 for the purchase and training of an emotional support dog, as well as up to $35 a month for the continued upkeep of the emotional support dog; and establish eligibility for these grants as veterans who are residents of New York State who have received a diagnosis from a licensed physician or licensed mental health professional of post-traumatic stress disorder, a traumatic brain injury, or both, and have an annual income of $50,000 or less.

Section 2: Establishes the effective date of 180 days after the law shall have taken effect.

Justification

According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, reports of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans have skyrocketed in recent years, with an estimated 11-20% of veterans employed during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and/or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) suffering from PTSD. A factsheet published by the VA states that "with respect to OIF/OEF Veterans, PTSD has been found to be a risk factor for suicidal ideation," and that "a recent study found that among OIF/OEF Veterans, those with subthreshold PTSD were 3 times more likely to report hopelessness or suicidal ideation than those without PTSD.

The National Center for PTSD notes that for many people suffering from PTSD, having exposure to dogs can be beneficial complement to evidence-based treatment. This legislation would connect low-income veterans who are suffering from PTSD or traumatic brain injury with grant assistance to connect them with trained service dogs or emotional support animals.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however the division of veterans' affairs is authorized and directed to promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this act immediately.