Pets are good for our emotional and physical health, and studies show that having a pet can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Caring for a companion animal provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment and lessens feelings of loneliness and isolation in people of all ages.

For wounded warriors and disabled veterans, caring for a pet can help them reenter society and avoid stress or depression. And if the soldier suffered serious injuries while serving our country, a service dog can provide much-needed assistance and critical care.

A new bill introduced by Representatives Ron Klein (D-Fla.) and Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) will help place dogs with men and women of the military. H.R. 3266, the Wounded Warrior K-9 Corps Act, would establish a program to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide wounded warriors and disabled veterans with service animals such as physical therapy dogs and guide dogs. The grants will help organizations implement programs that pair assistance dogs with eligible veterans and soldiers who suffer from loss of vision, hearing, or a limb, or a traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a number of other injuries. The "commitment of the organization to humane standards for animals" is one of the bill's criteria for receiving a grant.

The newest U.S. senator, Al Franken (D-Minn.), also announced that the first bill he plans to introduce will seek to make the service dog program more affordable for our troops.

Read more on this story from Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund.

Source and photo: The Humane Society Legislative Fund