S. 1441 · On the floor · Armed Forces and National Security

SAVES Act of 2025

Sponsor: Thom Tillis (R-NC)

What it does

• Establish a five-year pilot program awarding competitive grants to nonprofit entities to provide service dogs to eligible veterans with disabilities, conditions, or diagnoses such as visual impairment.
• Authorize the VA to provide up to $2 million per fiscal year to each nonprofit entity participating in the program.
• Require the VA to provide veterinary insurance policies to all veterans who receive a service dog through the grant program.

Official summary

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.

Latest action

Feb 24, 2026: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 342.

Committee: Senate Veterans' Affairs