It is the objective of the Service Dog Pilot Program to assist veterans in mitigating the symptoms of military service-related post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma through the provision of a service dog. Funds were appropriated for this purpose by the 88th Legislature (General Appropriations Act, Article I, Rider 14, 88th Legislature, Regular Session).
- (1) Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) will award grants to non-profit corporations under Texas Government Code §434.017 to provide trained service dogs, training, and services to veterans who participate in the pilot program.
- (2) The commission will include the Service Dog Pilot program grants in the Request for Applications (RFA) for the duration of the pilot program.
- (3) Non-profit corporations will be selected for grants under the pilot program based on the criteria listed in Texas Government Code §434.029 and the RFA.
- (4) Non-profit corporations selected for these grants are expected to track and provide data for TVC to evaluate the pilot program and prepare a report as required by Texas Government Code §434.029.
Source Note:The provisions of this §460.18 adopted to be effective December 5, 2023, 48 TexReg 7080.