SAVES Act of 2025

This bill would have the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) run a pilot program that gives competitive grants to nonprofits so they can provide trained service dogs to eligible veterans. The VA must launch the pilot within 2 years of the law taking effect, and it would run for 5 years starting when the first grant is awarded. Each grant could be up to $2 million, and the money must be used to plan, start, run, or manage programs that give service dogs only to eligible veterans.

Nonprofits would have to explain how they train veterans and dogs, what extra support they offer, and how they will reach veterans through a marketing plan. They must treat animals humanely and show proven experience training service dogs that meet disability law standards . Veterans cannot be charged any fees for dogs funded by the program, and recipients must tell each veteran that the VA paid for the dog and share information about other VA help. The VA would also pay for a veterinary insurance plan for each service dog and keep that coverage even if the pilot ends. The VA may offer training and technical help to grantees and will set oversight and reporting rules. Funding is authorized at $10 million per year for five fiscal years after the pilot is set up.

• Who is affected: Eligible veterans; nonprofits that provide service dogs; the VA.
• What changes: VA grants (up to $2M each) to expand service-dog programs; no fees charged to veterans; VA-paid veterinary insurance; outreach to veterans; humane care and proven training standards required; oversight and reports .
• When: Pilot must start within 24 months; runs 5 years from the first grant; funded at $10M per year for five fiscal years after the pilot is established .