I got this email from Elissa Slotkin, my representative re: veterans:
Greetings,
I’m writing to you today about an issue that hits close to home for me and one that is important to folks across our district: caring for our veterans.
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bipartisan bill that I led on – the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act (H.R. 4305). This bill would create a pilot program within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) to support local nonprofits that connect veterans to the service dogs that they need. All you need to do is talk to a veteran suffering from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who has gone through the experience of training and adopting a dog to know what this legislation would mean for veterans.
There are two organizations in Livingston County that are already doing the critical work of training service dogs and placing them with veterans in our area: Veteran Service Dogs in Howell and Blue Star Service Dogs in Pinckney. In fact, in December, I had the chance to visit Blue Star Service Dogs (pictures below!). It was incredible to see these dogs in action, and to hear stories from veterans like Shane, a Navy veteran who adopted and trained his service dog, Berret. Berret helps Shane wake up from nightmares, pick up things he drops, and helps him manage being in crowds. Both organizations are doing important work to help heal the “invisible” wounds that our veterans may endure, and I am thrilled that this bill could support them in their efforts.
I’m an Army wife, married to a thirty-year Army officer, with one step-daughter serving as a brand-new Army officer, and the other step-daughter working as a physician at the VA — so caring for our veterans is extremely personal to me and my family. When we make the decision to send young men and women to fight for our country, we make the decision to support them for the rest of their lives. This is a non-partisan responsibility — and it couldn’t be more clear or more urgent, especially as we recognize the staggering rate of suicide in the veteran community. As your elected representative, please be assured that I will continue working with my fellow members of Congress to advance this bill in the U.S. Senate and ensure it is signed into law.
Representative Elissa Slotkin visits Blue Star Service Dogs in Pinckney where she met Shane, a Navy veteran who adopted and trained his service dog, Berret.
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I hadn't heard about this bill. It sounds wonderful. I'm so glad we elected her. She's been doing a good job in our purple district and this is something that Mike "Hairdo" Bishop, the gop hack she defeated, would have never done.
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