{"id":31725,"date":"2024-05-24T17:26:34","date_gmt":"2024-05-24T17:26:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2024\/05\/24\/proposal-would-boost-retirement-help-for-military-working-dogs\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T15:27:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T15:27:10","slug":"proposal-would-boost-retirement-help-for-military-working-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/congress\/2024\/05\/24\/proposal-would-boost-retirement-help-for-military-working-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Proposal would boost retirement help for military working dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Military canines may be a service member\u2019s best friend<\/a>, but their current retirement plans aren\u2019t fit for a dog, according to a pair of House lawmakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Friday, Rep. John James, R-Mich., and Susan Wild, D-Pa., introduced legislation to boost financial coverage of veterinarian costs for retired federal working dogs \u2014 including military mutts<\/a> \u2014 to ensure those costs don\u2019t become a burden to their former handlers or new owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James, who served with the Army in Iraq, said the bill \u2014 named the Protecting America\u2019s Working Dogs Act, or PAW Act \u2014 is designed to honor both the service of the animals and the generosity of the individuals who care for them after their service is complete.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe dogs and their handlers risk their own lives to keep Americans out of harm\u2019s way,\u201d he said. \u201cUnfortunately, 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-9.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t