I recently supported legislation to protect Michigan military veterans who use service dogs to better manage the effects of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries.

The legislation would recognize in Michigan law the service dogs that so many veterans rely upon for care, exempt licensing fees for veterans’ service dogs, and establish penalties for anyone who harasses or injures a service dog.

The bills would help educate people that these service dogs are not pets, but working service animals that help vets and others cope with serious, often invisible injuries, not just physical disabilities.