S. 1441 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Apr 10, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryVA pilot program funds service dogs for veterans
The VA would start a five-year test program to give grants to nonprofits that provide service dogs to veterans with certain disabilities and conditions, like visual impairments. Each nonprofit could receive up to $2 million per year. The VA would also cover veterinary insurance for the service dogs provided through this program.
How it affects you
If you're a veteran with a qualifying disability or condition, this program could help you get a service dog at no cost through a participating nonprofit, with the VA covering the dog's veterinary insurance. The program is a pilot test, so it would be available for five years to see how well it works.
Read the official summary (Reported to Senate, Feb 24, 2026)
Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act of 2025 or the SAVES Act of 2025
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a five-year pilot program to award grants on a competitive basis to nonprofit entities to provide service dogs to veterans who have certain disabilities, conditions, or diagnoses (e.g., a visual impairment).
Under the program, the VA may provide up to $2 million to a nonprofit entity in a fiscal year.
The VA must provide a veterinary insurance policy to veterans who receive a service dog through a grant under the program.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1441
A BILL
SAVES Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas Tillis (R-NC) · Introduced Apr 10, 2025 · Armed Forces and National Security · 2 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 24, 2026: “Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 342.”
Sections
The wording of this bill hasn’t changed across its 2 official versions.