VetsFirst strongly supports efforts to ensure that eligible veterans with disabilities are able to benefit from service animals.

To drive this message home, VetsFirst called on the VA to consider the multi-faceted assistance and intangible support that service animals provide people with disabilities during a guide dog and service dog conference on Feb. 23-24 in Phoenix, AZ.

The purpose of the conference was to educate VA staff responsible for developing clinical practice recommendations to help clinicians determine whether to make a referral for a veteran for a guide dog or service dog.

VetsFirst believes it’s critical that clinicians understand that service animals are not pets. They not only promote independence and community integration, but also perform specific tasks such as pulling a wheelchair or opening a door. And most importantly, they help break down barriers between people with disabilities and society.

Since Congress granted the VA the authority to assist veterans with service dogs for mobility impairments in 2002, VetsFirst has been concerned about VA’s implementation. An audit by the VA’s Office of Inspector General released in July 2010 found that the Veterans Health Administration continues to struggle with implementation.

It’s important to note that the VA does not provide veterans with service dogs. Instead, the VA makes referrals to organizations that provide service animals. Whether the veteran will actually receive a service dog is the decision of the organization, not the VA. The VA, however, does provide financial assistance for veterinary care and equipment.

VetsFirst is pleased that VA is moving forward with the development of clinical guidance––which should help improve access to service animals for many veterans struggling to achieve a better quality of life. We look forward to continue working with VA on this and other issues related to service animals.

For more information about VA’s guide dog and service dog assistance benefits, please visit
http://www.va.gov/health/ServiceAndGuideDogs.asp.