The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act.

Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Senate Veterans Affairs Committee member, introduced the bipartisan bill along with Thom Tillis, R-NC, Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

The bill authorizes the secretary of Veterans Affairs to create a pilot program which will connect service dogs with veterans experiencing mental illnesses.

“Many veterans with mobility impairments have had their lives changed — in some cases, saved — by service dogs,” said Cramer. “Our bill would expand this treatment by launching a pilot program to make veterans with mental health issues such as depression eligible to receive service dogs. I am grateful for my colleagues’ support and look forward to the President signing it.”