; and (2) establish processes to document and track the progress of such veterans under the program in terms of the benefits and improvements noted as a result of the program. (i) GAO briefing and study (1) Briefing Not later than one year after the date on which the Secretary commences the grant program under this section, the Comptroller General of the United States shall provide to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the methodology established for the program. (2) Report Not later than 270 days after the date on which the grant program under this section terminates, the Comptroller General shall submit to the committees specified in paragraph (1) a report on the program. Such report shall include an evaluation of the approach and methodology used for the program with respect to— (A) helping veterans with severe PTSD return to civilian life; (B) relevant metrics, including any reduction in metrics, including reduction in scores under the post-traumatic stress disorder checklist (PCL–5), improvement in psychosocial function, and therapeutic compliance; and (C) reducing the dependence of participants on prescription narcotics and psychotropic medication. (j) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated for the period of fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2022, $10,000,000 to carry out the program under this section. (k) Termination The authority to carry out a program under this section shall terminate on the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. An eligible veteran in possession of a service dog furnished under the program as of the date of the termination of the program may keep the service dog after the termination of the program for the life of the dog.