An Act to establish a framework on animal-assisted services for veterans

Bill C-417 was a Liberal Private Member's Bill establishing a federal framework on animal-assisted services for veterans, recognizing the role of service dogs, equine-assisted therapy, and other animal-assisted-therapy programs in supporting Canadian Forces veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Operational Stress Injury (OSI), and other service-related conditions. Approximately 80 Canadian charities operate veteran service-dog and equine-therapy programs. Veterans Affairs Canada currently does not cover most animal-assisted-therapy costs (an estimated $30,000 per service dog per the Veteran Service Dog Coalition). The bill called for federal-provincial coordination on animal-assisted-services funding and binding annual public reporting. Did not pass second reading.