Veterans with PTSD will soon have more access to service dogs

After nearly a decade of bureaucratic slowdowns, and stalled legislation, veterans are one step closer to increased access to one of the more effective treatments for combat-related mental health conditions: a service dog.

The US Senate passed a measure called the Puppies Assisting Wounded Service members for Veterans Therapy Act, or the PAWS Act .

Now the bill awaits President Joe Biden’s signature.

Veteran Ben Keen was paired with a medical service dog, Bolt, through a nonprofit organization called Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs. 

Keen joins Gayle Guyardo on Bloom to talk about how Bolt has changed his life.

Bloom airs in 40 more markets across the country, with a reach of approximately 36 million households, and in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Madison, WI.

You can watch Bloom in the Tampa Bay Market weekdays at Noon on WTTA: Spectrum 1006; Frontier 514; DirecTV 38; Dish 38; Comcast 43, and look for Bloom early mornings on WFLA News Channel 8.