H.R. 2605 — SAVES Act

This section establishes a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program, to be implemented not later than 24 months after enactment, under which VA awards competitive grants of up to $2 million each to nonprofit entities to provide service dogs to eligible veterans. Eligible veterans are those enrolled (or entitled) in VA health care under 38 U.S.C. §1705(a), prescribed a service dog by VA, and with a covered condition (i.e., blindness or visual impairment; or loss of use of a limb, paralysis, or other significant mobility issue, including mental health conditions, as determined by VA medical judgment to be optimally managed via service dog assistance). Grant recipients must submit applications detailing service dog provision plans, training for veterans and dogs, additional support services, marketing to eligible veterans, humane treatment commitments, and prior experience training service dogs in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; enter agreements prohibiting fees to veterans, requiring notification of VA funding and available benefits, and other VA terms; and use funds to develop and manage service dog programs (subject to administrative cost limits set by VA). VA may provide recipients with training and technical assistance; furnish commercially available veterinary insurance for service dogs (continuing post-program unless discontinued in the best interest of the veteran, dog, or government); and impose oversight, monitoring, and reporting requirements.