Jim Rosica
Rep. Jared Moskowitz has filed legislation creating the “Retired Military Working Dogs Program.”
“If enacted, the program would allow the Department of Military Affairs to contract with a not-for-profit to provide retired military working dogs with veterinary care,” according to a Monday news release.
The Coral Springs Democrat filed the bill (HB 1253) earlier this month; it has been referred to the Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, the Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee and the Government Accountability Committee, records show.
The proposed program “would allow adopters of retired military working dogs to be reimbursed for annual exams, vaccinations, testing and treatment of illnesses, emergency care, and surgeries, among other services, up to $10,000,” the release said.
As it stands now, the military doesn’t offer benefits for bomb-sniffing dogs and other service canines after they come home, Moskowitz told Florida Politics. He didn’t know a precise number of dogs his bill would cover but offered it’s “probably in the hundreds.”
“We don’t want some veterans, after they come home, to have to choose between rent or taking care of their animal,” he said Monday.
“We’re learning more about the role of dogs who serve our military and then serve our vets, many of whom have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when they return. We give our vets benefits; we should help our vets’ animals.”
In a separate statement, Moskowitz said: “Retired military dogs who were deployed in the field of battle have dedicated their lives to the defense of this nation. It is only right that after their dutiful service we honor their valued contribution with adequate veterinary care.”
“…No veteran, but especially those who suffer from PTSD, should have to part with their service animal because they can’t afford the veterinary expenses.”
This Session, Moskowitz also filed a bill (HB 1257) to heighten protections for “domestic companion animals,” police animals and other service animals. He has also supported bills such as requiring injury reporting of racing greyhounds.
