It is the objective of the Service Dog Pilot Program to assist veterans in mitigating the symptoms of military service-related post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma through the provision of a service dog. Funds were appropriated for this purpose by the 88th Legislature (General Appropriations Act, Article I, Rider 14, 88th Legislature, Regular Session).     
       (1) Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) will award grants to non-profit corporations under Texas Government Code §434.017 to provide trained service dogs, training, and services to veterans who participate in the pilot program.      
       (2) The commission will include the Service Dog Pilot program grants in the Request for Applications (RFA) for the duration of the pilot program.      
       (3) Non-profit corporations will be selected for grants under the pilot program based on the criteria listed in Texas Government Code §434.029 and the RFA.      
       (4) Non-profit corporations selected for these grants are expected to track and provide data for TVC to evaluate the pilot program and prepare a report as required by Texas Government Code §434.029.      
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §460.18 adopted to be effective December 5, 2023, 48 TexReg 7080