Service Dogs for PTSD veterans bill passed

The Mississippi Legislature passed House Bill 944. The bill will allow veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder to have service dogs in public places including hotels and businesses.
Today News 25’s Jaylon Morris caught up with a veteran who trains service dogs who was happy to hear the news.
Jocko Angle is a veteran who trains service dogs for the disabled. He tells News 25 this bill was long overdue. “PTSD is a disability just like someone who has mobility issues. It’s about time the state of Mississippi came forward and said ‘hey, we’re going to recognize these dogs as an actual service dog.’”
The Mississippi Support Animal Act will now include veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in the qualifying list of disabilities in which an individual may be provided the use of a support animal.
Angle says these service dogs can be looked as at combat buddies, a phrase used in the military which means you wouldn’t go into a specific place or area without your combat buddy. These dogs can fill that role. “A lot of veterans who are no longer in the military, they don’t have that combat buddy. So, what ends up happening is these K9s end up being the combat buddy.”
Angle has a non-profit organization called ‘Kings Second Chances’ which helps veterans with their disabilities. With the new bill, he can pass dogs along to veterans in need. “It gives me self-worth. I don’t mean to be preaching for myself, but I do it to help my brothers and sisters.’
Angle says this bill will help veterans who get questioned about their disabilities because their appearance may not show it, but still suffer from PTSD. “Now that this bill is going into effect, even that challenge right there can no longer happen and can be backed up by state law.”
The bill takes effect starting July 1st.