Legislative Update (Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act)

Dear Fellow Advocate(s),

I am writing on behalf of The American Legion, Department of Florida to express our strong support for the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act, specifically H.R. 2605 in the House and S. 1441 in the Senate.

As a resolution-based organization that channels the advocacy of more than 3 million veterans and their families, The American Legion has long recognized the profound therapeutic and life-changing impact of service dogs for veterans struggling with physical disabilities, post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and related conditions. These critical benefits align directly with our Resolution No. 134: Service Dogs for Injured Service Personnel and Veterans with Mental Health Conditions VoterVoice.

On June 12, 2025, our Director of Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, Cole T. Lyle, testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, where he highlighted the mental health and suicide prevention advantages of pairing veterans with service dogs. He shared personal testimony of his own service dog, Kaya, and conveyed how those human-animal bonds not only aid in recovery but often provide the will to survive during individuals’ darkest moments: “When fingers meet fur, magic happens.” The American Legion

By supporting the SAVES Act, The American Legion reaffirms our dedication to enhancing the quality of life for veterans through innovative, compassionate, and practical support. We encourage Congress to pass this legislation swiftly to enable nonprofit, ADI-accredited organizations to expand access to service dogs—without barriers—for those who need them most.

Thank you for your attention to this vital matter. We stand ready to continue our advocacy and urge swift legislative action to deliver healing, independence, and hope to our veterans.

For God & Country,

Stuart Scott
Legislative Chair
The American Legion, Department of Florida
legislative@legionmail.org