(1) There is created in the department the training veterans to train their own service dogs pilot program. The purpose of the program is to identify and train a group of up to ten eligible veterans to pair with dogs, as identified by qualified canine trainers in conjunction with the veterans, to foster, train, and ultimately utilize the dogs as their own service or companion animals. The program will further offer those veterans who graduate from the program with a trained dog the opportunity and necessary follow-along services to expand the program, if willing, by identifying, fostering, and training a subsequent dog for another eligible veteran who is unable to complete one or more parts of the process due to physical limitations.
(2) The department must establish and post the eligibility criteria for selection to the program for veterans and canines, as well as requirements for a nonprofit selected to implement the program pursuant to section 26-23-103.
Source: L. 2016: Entire article added, (HB 16-1112), ch. 328, p. 1331, § 1, effective June 10.