Washington, D.C. [Oct 22, 2009] – Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) announced the passage of legislation providing service dogs to wounded military veterans.
 
The Service Dogs for Veterans Act was the first piece of legislation introduced by Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.). It will establish a pilot program and study within the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide disabled veterans with service dogs to help keep America’s promise to returning soldiers and improve their quality of life after service.
 
“We owe so much to the brave men and women who risk everything for us,” said Sen. Franken. “This legislation is a small but important step in making sure they can lead the happy, productive lives they deserve when they get home from the battlefield.”
 
The legislative language, sponsored by Senators Al Franken (D-Minn,) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), passed today as part of the Defense Authorization for Fiscal Year 2010. The provision passed the House last week, where it was championed by Reps. Klein and Whitfield.
 
Sen. Franken has made veterans a focus since taking office in July. He also pushed to close a loophole in Post Deployment Mobilization/Respite Absence (PDMRA) benefits that was negatively impacting thousands of troops, including many Minnesotans. Sen. Franken’s efforts were successful and the Defense Authorization bill that passed today will restore the PDMRA benefits that troops had earned but not received.