Veterans and Service Dogs

Many Veterans benefit greatly with a service dog. A service dog, is a specially trained canine companion that performs specific tasks to assist disabled Veterans who have been diagnosed with a visual, hearing, or mobility impairment. According to ADA regulation, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.  The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.

These tasks may include pulling a wheelchair, safely guiding a blind Veteran across the street, alerting to medical conditions, or provide support to conditions such as PTSD. Service dogs assist Veterans in living a more independent and fulfilling life.

The Different Types of Support Dogs

VA classifies service dogs as, “a dog that is trained to perform one or more tasks to mitigate a disability, as defined by the Department of Justice per the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). There are differences in terminology, and the term “assistance dog” is often used internationally as an alternate to “service dog”.

Emotional support dogs (EMOT) are different than a service dog. VA classifies emotional support dogs as, “a dog trained in obedience commands but not trained to perform a task that mitigates a disability per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); therefore, emotional support dogs are not service dogs. Emotional support dogs have some legal protections in housing and air travel but are not given legal rights to be present in public spaces by the ADA like service dogs.”

Therapy dogs are not service dogs and are distinct from emotional support dogs. These are dogs that are brought into a variety of facilities such as hospitals, disaster areas, nursing homes, or schools by their owners for the benefit of the people who interact with them during a visit as part of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). Therapy dogs provide a benefit to someone else, not the handler. They have no special legal access or privileges.

There are many different types of service dogs. All service dogs must go through a rigorous training program for the specific need of their handler. Some examples are:

• Guide Dogs
• Hearing Dogs
• Mobility Assistance Dogs
• Medical Alert Dogs
• Psychiatric Service Dogs
• Autism Support Dogs
• Allergy Detection Dogs
• Seizure Response Dogs
• Diabetic Alert Dogs

VA does not provide service dogs. Veterans are referred to Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF).  These are the only two accredited agencies. The Veteran and service dog must have successfully completed the training program that is offered by either of these agencies. Veterans need to provide a certificate to VA upon completion of the program. Dogs that perform both as a service dog and guide dog, must be trained at both facilities.

Physical Benefits for Dogs and Humans

Petting is a mutually beneficial activity for humans and dogs. It provides emotional and physical benefits. “Happy hormones” like Oxytocin, Endorphins, Dopamine, and Serotonin are released while loving and bonding with a dog. Dogs experience this boost in hormones as well. They have a natural inclination to seek out affection and physical touch with their humans. They can’t get enough of your love.

What you need to know about the (VHIB) Veterinary Health Insurance Benefit Policy

Once a Veteran has been diagnosed with a hearing, visual or mobility diagnosis, VA will provide veterinary health insurance benefits for the care of the service dog. It will also provide travel pay to one of the accredited training programs, ADI or IGDF. Service dogs are not the property of VA. VA will never assume responsibility for or take possession of any service dog.

The Veteran needs to meet with their VA Clinical Care Provider to begin the application process for this benefit. The specialist will evaluate and make a clinical determination on the need for assistive devices, which may include a service dog. If a service dog is deemed to be the optimal tool for the Veteran, the specialist and Veteran will obtain all the necessary information and documents needed to request the benefit, along with the assistance from the local VA Medical Center Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS).

For a Veteran that has a mental health diagnosis, they need to meet with their VA Mental Health Provider to begin the application process for the benefit. The mental health team will evaluate and make a clinical determination based on whether the mental health condition is the primary cause of the Veteran’s mobility limitations. The team will assess if a service dog would be optimal for the Veteran’s treatment plan. As mentioned before, the team and the Veteran will need to obtain all necessary documents and make a request to the PSAS.

Each Veteran’s case is reviewed and evaluated by a prescribing clinician based on the following criteria:

• If the family or caregiver can care for the dog properly, now and in the future
• What goals are to be met with the use of a service dog

Once You are Approved for a Service Dog

Veterans who are approved for a service dog will be referred to ADI or IGDF agencies. The Veteran will be notified if the service dog is approved or disapproved by the VA Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service. Veterans must be enrolled in the insurance program and may only have one service dog at any given time. VA will be billed for all premiums, copayments, deductibles, or annual caps associated with the policy. The Veteran is responsible for all costs concerning the care of the service dog that exceeds the maximum amount that is authorized by the policy for a particular procedure, treatment plan, or policy year. If a service dog requires care that exceeds the policy’s limit, the insurer will provide advance notice to the Veteran. The policy will guarantee coverage for all treatment, prescription medications, dental cleanings and screenings, urgent/emergent care, and care for chronic illness/disorders, deemed to be medically necessary, to include euthanasia, by a veterinarian who meets the requirements of the insurer. The Veteran will not be billed for these costs.

The Veteran is responsible for all other costs such as: license tags, nonprescription food, grooming, insurance for personal injury, non-sedated dental cleanings, nail trimming, boarding, pet-sitting, dog-walking services, over the counter medications, or any other goods or services that are not covered by the policy.

Service dogs that require special hardware to perform necessary tasks in aiding the Veteran, will receive new hardware, repairs or replacements, under the policy. The Veteran is responsible for contacting the PSAS at their local VAMC to request the items needed. Service dogs with a preexisting condition will not be excluded from the policy.

Travel costs will be provided to a Veteran who has been prescribed a service dog by VA clinical team. It must be noted in the Veteran’s records that the Veteran has been pre-approved for the insurance benefit. The Veteran must be pre-approved for VHIB to qualify for the travel benefits. VA will also cover the costs for a replacement service dog. Veterans who already have a service dog are not eligible for this benefit unless the training was ADI or IGDF certified.

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Dogs

There are Federal accommodations for service dogs on VHA property. Per the ADA, service dogs are allowed in:

• Housing at public or private universities
• Public housing programs that are run by the state, county and city governments
• Places of employment
• Public spaces and commercial aircraft cabins
• Emergency shelters

Service dogs must be granted access to VHA property when they accompany a Veteran with a disability. Any animal that is not a service animal or classified as a service animal, will be denied access to any VHA property. A service dog that is still in training will not be given access to VHA property.

VHA staff are not allowed to ask for:

• Any medical documentation, or any identification care or training certificate for the service dog
• They may not ask the dog to demonstrate its abilities
• The nature of the Veteran’s disability

If it is unclear to VHA staff if the dog is a service dog, they may ask 2 questions:

1. Is your service dog required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has your service dog been trained to do?

A service dog must always be in a harness, on a leash, or always tethered and under control of the handler while on VHA property. The handler is responsible for the service dog at all times. A service dog will be removed from VHA property if it shows any signs of aggression, poor health (diarrhea, vomiting), not house-broken, or not under control of its handler.