Puppies Assisting Wounded Service Members (PAWS)
The PAWS Act requires VA to conduct a five-year pilot program to provide canine training to eligible Veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an element of a complementary and integrative health program. The West Palm Beach Healthcare System is one of five PAWS Pilot sites. PAWS is a pilot program at the West Palm Beach Healthcare system that provides Veterans with PTSD the opportunity to train service dogs for fellow Veterans. This program may increase the sense of purpose and self-worth of Veterans through the altruism of helping others.
Harper Marsolek
PAWS Coordinator
VA West Palm Beach health care
Phone: (561) 422-8262 x3373
Email: harper.marsolek@va.gov
Jade Garneau-Fournier PHD
PAWS Psychologist
VA West Palm Beach health care
Phone: 561-422-1299
Email: jade.garneau-fournier@va.gov
What to expect
The canine training sessions are conducted alongside a partnership with a local Service-Dog Organization for the purpose of the pilot.
This is an outpatient program. Participating Veterans will attend training sessions at the local Service-Dog Organization.
Who can participate
You may participate in the program if you meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You're a Veteran with PTSD, and
- You're enrolled in a VA medical center pilot site, and
- You've had an appointment with primary care, mental health, whole health, recreation therapy, or social work within the last 3 months, and
- You've been screened and approved by a VA evaluating provider
Referral Process
After you're referred to the PAWS Pilot Program, you'll first have a screening appointment with a VA clinician from the PAWS pilot team to make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. Once confirmed, you will be referred to the next available canine training group.
Frequently asked questions and answers
Click each section below to learn more about the program.
No. You don't have to be engaged in mental health care to participate in the pilot. You must remain engaged with VHA primary care, mental health, whole health, recreation therapy, or social work by having at least one appointment every 3 months (until you've completed the canine training).
You will be notified by VA staff responsible for the pilot program site if you're approved to participate.
No. You will not be eligible for beneficiary travel for the canine training sessions since there will be no documented medical visit associated with this training.
VA staff will contact the service dog organization to inform them of your eligibility for the pilot. You will be contacted by phone or email, and given start date information and directions to the service dog training facility.
No. This training does not involve training your own service dog. You will be assisting in training candidate service dogs that, in most cases, will be for another Veteran.
No. This training does not involve training your own service dog.
This is an 8-week program with one canine training session per week for 8 consecutive weeks. Session length will be approximately 1.5 hours.
Yes. The canine training sessions are sequential, so it's important to attend all sessions.
Please contact the service dog organization as soon as possible and explain why one or more sessions will be missed.
If you miss 2 sessions in a row, especially the first 2 sessions, you will not be able to participate in the current training session. You'll have to wait until there is availability in another canine training session at the service dog organization’s discretion.
If you miss 1 or 2 of the last sessions, you may be able to make up the missed sessions at the service dog organization’s discretion.
A small, mix-gender group with no more than 10 Veterans will begin and finish the entire 8-week program together.
No. Participation in this program should not impact your service connection status.
Participation in the pilot program will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yes. If you're disruptive, aggressive, or display other inappropriate behavior, like being under the influence, you may be dismissed immediately by the service dog organization while in their class on their property.
You may also be dismissed by VA if we believe it's not in your best interest to continue. You will be referred to the local VA pilot staff who will reassess you for continued eligibility for the PAWS pilot program. This is to ensure that all Veterans and animals are safe.
No. This is not a job training program. You will assist in training candidate service dogs for others by helping the dogs learn several commands: social interaction, physical connection, retrieve, and mobility.
VA is eager to assess potential benefits for Veterans with a diagnosis of PTSD participating in the training of candidate service dogs.