WASHINGTON, D.C. (Michigan News Source) – On May 24th, a bipartisan bill was introduced in Congress by Republican Rep. John James (MI-10) and Democratic Rep. Susan Wild (PA-07). It’s called the “Protecting America’s Working Dogs (PAW) Act.”
This vital legislation addresses the ambiguous guidelines surrounding the fate of federal working dogs, which include those serving in the Department of Defense, Border Patrol, and Capitol Police, after they retire from service.
MORE NEWS: Oxford Review Finds Failures, But No Missed Chances to Save Lives
Currently, the financial burden of veterinary care for these retired canine heroes often falls on their former handlers, a responsibility that can be both significant and overwhelming.
A critical helping hand for heroes.
“Our federal working dogs and their handlers are heroes who deserve to be taken care of after they retire,” stated Rep. James. “As a veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, I know these dogs save an immeasurable number of lives each day. The dogs and their handlers risk their own lives to keep Americans out of harm’s way.”
James went on to say in his press release about the legislation, “Unfortunately, current regulations result in the handlers, who are often veterans or law enforcement officers themselves, becoming solely responsible for the medical costs of the retired K-9s. The PAW Act will offer a critical helping hand to our heroes, both K-9 and human.”
Rep. Wild echoed this sentiment, saying, “If you know me, you know my love of dogs extends far and wide. I am proud to introduce this legislation for all of America’s working dogs and their handlers who show up every day to keep us safe. When our federal working dogs retire, we must ensure they have access to the care and resources they need – often including pricey veterinary bills. The grant program we are proposing in this bill will help our canine heroes and their owners retire with peace of mind after a lifetime of service.”
The need for the PAW Act.
Military working dogs (MWDs) and other federal working dogs perform crucial roles, from detecting explosives to patrolling borders. The bond between these dogs and their handlers is unbreakable, often compared to the unyielding loyalty of “man’s best friend.”
However, when these dogs retire, they frequently require extensive medical care. Retiring mostly between the ages of 8 and 12-years-old, they have various special needs. Issues such as hip dysplasia, PTSD, severe allergies, cancer, or degenerative myelopathy are common among retired working dogs, necessitating ongoing veterinary care that can be costly.
MORE NEWS: Michigan Woman Indicted in Northern Border Smuggling Scheme
According to the nonprofit organization Gizmo’s Gift, “Working dogs are typically only retired for medical reasons.” These medical issues require ongoing veterinary care once they have completed their service and the medical expenses for treating these ailments can run well into the thousands of dollars, creating a financial strain on those who adopt these canine heroes.
A financial lifeline.
The PAW Act aims to alleviate this burden by establishing a grant program to assist with the medical expenses of these retired federal working dogs. This initiative is endorsed by Mission K-9 Rescue, Detroit Dog Rescue, and Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, organizations that understand the critical need for this support. The grant program will ensure that the handlers, many of whom are veterans or law enforcement officers, are not left “holding the bag” for their retired partners’ medical costs.
Supporting our four-legged heroes.
Federal working dogs have served faithfully alongside their human counterparts, often in high-stakes environments. These dogs have acted as eyes, ears, and protectors, “barking up the right tree” to detect dangers and save lives. As these dogs transition from service to retirement, many believe it is the responsibility of not just their K-9 handlers, but the military they served, to ensure they receive the care they deserve.
According to 2022 data from the Government Accountability Office, nearly 5,600 dogs work for the federal government, with roles ranging from explosives detection to wildlife management. A large number of the K-9s work for Homeland Security (2,943). These dogs face significant risks during their service, and many, including Reps. James and Wild, believe their welfare must be a priority even after they retire.
