This legislation, known as the HELP PETS Act , aims to restrict federal funding for certain research practices involving animals. Beginning 180 days after its enactment, the bill prohibits the availability of federal funds to any institution of higher education that conducts or financially supports painful biomedical research on dogs or cats. The bill defines "painful research" as any research, training, experimentation, or testing classified in pain categories D or E by the Department of Agriculture. However, it includes specific exceptions, allowing funding for clinical veterinary research that benefits the individual animal with a naturally occurring disease or injury, and for physical exams, training programs, or studies related to service animals or military animals .