SAVES Act

The SAVES Act creates a new Department of Veterans Affairs program to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that train and provide service dogs to eligible veterans. These grants, capped at $2 million per organization, require nonprofits to be accredited by groups like Assistance Dogs International, offer specific training and aftercare for veterans and dogs, and ensure equal access for women veterans. Eligible veterans must be enrolled in VA healthcare and have disabilities including blindness, mobility issues, PTSD, or military sexual trauma. The program requires annual evaluations of grant effectiveness and is funded with $10 million yearly from 2024 through 2028. It specifically defines "service dogs" as those trained for disability-related tasks, excluding emotional support animals.