A trained service dog can do what red tape can’t: help a veteran sleep through the night, step back into a crowded room, and reenter daily life with confidence and safety. We sit down with Marine veteran and K9 handler Chris Baity, co‑founder of Semper K9, to unpack how ethical training, clear standards, and community support turn that promise into repeatable results—and why federal funding has lagged behind the need.
Chris shares the path from deployments to building Semper K9’s “mental health mobility” model, where dogs perform physical tasks while anchoring PTS and anxiety management. We walk through the coalition of nonprofits that drafted national-level training standards, created continuing education, and proved that costs drop and outcomes improve when methods are consistent and ethical. From there, we explain the SAVES Act: a five‑year VA pilot program that reallocates existing funds to deliver no‑cost service dogs through vetted nonprofits, collect clean data, and set enforceable expectations for quality. The price tag is tiny compared to the VA budget, yet powerful enough to validate what veterans and caregivers see every day—better sleep, calmer public outings, fewer crises, and meaningful reentry into work, school, and family life.
If you’ve wondered how to help, this is the playbook. Contact your representatives’ veterans’ affairs staffers to support the SAVES Act. Share credible organizations that never charge veterans for dogs. Donate or volunteer to keep training pipelines strong while Congress moves. And if you or someone you love is considering a service dog, start with reputable providers like Semper K9 for guidance, evaluation, and a path that puts dignity and outcomes first. If this conversation resonates, follow, share with a friend, and leave a review so more veterans and families can find it—and add your voice to the push that turns a pilot into lasting care.