Marine Campaigns for VA to Provide Benefits for PTSD or Mental Health Dogs

For Cole Lyle, a veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), his therapy dog Kaya did what no prescribed sleep aid or antidepressant could. She helped him eliminate his medications for the condition, better cope with anxiety and reduce suicidal thoughts, nightmares and night terrors. He recently testified before The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform with Kaya at his feet about their experiences. He spent $10,000 of his own money to have the dog trained for PTSD symptoms by an Assistance Dogs International-accredited trainer. A new bill – H.R. 4764 – will direct the VA to carry out a five-year pilot program in which the agency will provide service dogs and military health insurance to certain veterans who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 and have been diagnosed with, and still suffer, with PTSD.