Madam Speaker, as we approach Remembrance Day, I wanted to present a petition on behalf of my constituents who want to extend tangible support for so many veterans who suffer with PTSD and who recognize that a service dog can provide better therapy than pharmaceutical drugs and is one of the best ways to provide continuing daily supports to countless veterans. It is expensive to get an OSI-PTSD service dog. It is deemed an effective medical tool for veterans in need, but even veterans who can get a service dog at no cost have the costs of veterinary care and food and daily care for their dogs.
The petitioners are asking the House of Commons to conduct a needs assessment, to identify financially vulnerable veterans seeking this essential medical tool, to provide critical funding and to do it with urgency so all of our veterans receive the support they so deeply need and certainly deserve.