Veterans with PTSD are being denied care by the VA if they bring their service dog with them to the facility.

LTJG Benjamin Finnell — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 10:45:32 -0400

I arrived at the VA Hospital in Salt Lake yesterday morning (6/4/14) much like any other time I have gone there, with my service dog Norman at my side. This time, however, I was met at the entrance by a uniformed Police Officer. Yes, the VA has their own police force, but that is a different issue. The reason the VA Police officer cited for stopping me was that the Salt Lake City VA Hospital does not recognize PTSD service dogs as being service animals. He refused to recognize the prescription from my physician, the tags identifying him as a service animal, and the federal law (Americans with Disabilities Act) that requires that they grant access to ALL service animals.

Instead, the administration of the VA Healthcare System in Salt Lake have created a sub-class of service animal that they have declared "of no real use" (the officer's words). He claimed that dogs cannot be trained to performs tasks for PTSD, that they either "are born with the instinct to do it, or not, but it can't be trained." Regardless of the falsity of his logic, federal law requires ALL service animals be granted access, not just some.

After much lecturing and telling me how I was wrong for calling my dog a service dog (I have a prescription from my physician and he is properly trained to do specific tasks, which makes him a service dog), the officer provided me with a copy of the VAMC Salt Lake City policy (dated March 5, 2014) on which he highlighted the section covering therapy, companion, and emotional support animals (because that is what he said they considered my service dog). Nowhere in their guidance does it prohibit PTSD service dogs by name, but the VA Salt Lake City Police are using this document to categorically discriminate against servicemembers who have PTSD and use a service dog to help manage their PTSD. When I pointed out that it did not prohibit PTSD service animals and listed the tasks that Norman (my service dog) performs, he stated that only physical tasks were recognized. He then proceeded to discount the necessity of having a service dog for epilepsy or diabetes because "we are in a hospital, so if they need medical care, they are right here." He continued to lecture and berate me for fifteen minutes while I attempted to excuse myself (I wouldn't leave without a written copy of the policy, so he delayed making the copy while he lectured some more).

Interestingly, the VA themselves are currently running a clinical trial on the benefits of service dogs for PTSD (http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01329341). If they are willing to concede that there is likely a clinical benefit to having a service dog for PTSD, why then would they not allow someone who has a service dog and at the same time to access the health care that they are entitled to?

Some of you may wonder, "What does a service dog actually do for PTSD?" The reference at (http://www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html) has some wonderful answers, but the truth is that just like every other service animal, they are trained to perform specific tasks that aid their owner/handler in dealing with/overcoming their disability. But the key thing is that these must be specific, concrete, identifiable tasks that you can point to and say "This is what my service dog does to deal with my disability."

During my service, I earned a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star (with combat "V"), and am now rated 100% disabled due to my PTSD. The VA should not deny me access to care based on the fact that I have a service dog. Please consider signing my petition on Change.org to encourage the investigation and repeal of this policy at: https://www.change.org/petitions/sen-orrin-hatch-investigate-the-systematic-violation-of-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-ada-by-the-va-medical-center-in-salt-lake-city

More links on service dogs for PTSD:
http://www.americanhumane.org/interaction/programs/servicedogsforveterans/
http://www.nami.org/ADVTemplate.cfm?Section=Advocate_Magazine&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=109134

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 10:51 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 10:51:39 -0400

I have seen and experienced service dogs working with those who suffer from PTSD and others who were just going through a rough patch. It is amazing to see the reactions that these people have had (to include me) and watch the stress leave their face for a few minutes and the dog, well, he loved it too.

It is ashame that not everyone recognizes it. Good luck with your petition.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Jun 5 at 2014 8:26 PM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 20:26:05 -0400

LT Finnell, A very good friend is deaf and has a Service Dog. I know she would be devastated if she were ever turned away from any place because of her dog. How can the VA possibly justify this behavior on their part?

In light of the VA's inability to provide service to Veterans as needed, is this just another delaying tactic to provide them with another excuse to delay appointments? I know that you have contacted your representatives, but I also encourage our fellow people on RP to do the same and do it soon. The VA must not be allowed to dictate policy like this and change without notice.

Response by SgtMaj James Kuiken made Mar 3 at 2015 8:43 AM

SgtMaj James Kuiken — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:43:10 -0500

LTJG Benjamin Finnell, I don't know if you've gotten any definitive answer on this yet, but when my service dog was trained and certified (under the ADI), we were also issued a card JUST FOR THE VA... and it states:

"HR 1627 Sec. 109 - Use of Service Dogs on Property of the Department of Veteran's Affairs.

(f)(1) The Secretary may not prohibit the use of a covered service dog in any facility or on any property of the Department or in any facility or on any property that receives funding from the Secretary.

(2) For the purposes of this subsection, a covered service dog is a service dog that has been trained by an entity that is accredited by an appropriate accrediting body that evaluates and accredits organizations which train guide or service dogs."

Signed into Law August 6th, 2012.

The ADI (Assistance Dogs International) is one such recognized "appropriate accrediting body".

I hope this helps.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 3 at 2015 10:21 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 10:21:42 -0500

LTJG Benjamin Finnell, and Rally Point. What is the number for the cell phone that VA Secretary McDonald offered to allow that Congressman Mike Coffman to monitor on Feb 11?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Mar 4 at 2015 2:10 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:10:01 -0500

I think you had a run-in with a guard/s with bad intel. In AZ they are everywhere on the VA campus.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Mar 4 at 2015 2:40 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:40:21 -0500

Should have just said, "Who is that? Someone is talking to me? Can you step closer? This is my see eye service dog."

Really, just take his name and badge number and talk to his supervisor and remember that arguing with police is like trying to push more buttons to get your computer to work faster...not really going to help. The officer was just doing what he was told. He doesn't know, or care, what the right answer really is, he is just going to do what he was told.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 5 at 2015 6:41 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 18:41:31 -0500

I learned an important adage in the Army that I applied all through the years thereafter: "Someone out there didn't get the word. Go find him!"

Let's hope that this is an isolated instance of one such person. I'd hate to think that we are still fighting the idiots who decry PTSD.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 12:44 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 00:44:47 -0500

Sir, have you addressed this with the hospital administrators? I cannot imagine this being something driven by hospital policy.

I believe the guard was acting on ignorance with good intention. I would give the VA the chance to correct it before starting a petition.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 10 at 2015 10:57 PM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 22:57:15 -0400

So you can bring a dog to restaurant and a store... but a VA medical facility. Makes sense.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Apr 7 at 2015 5:27 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 17:27:25 -0400

Benjamin, I am very sorry for what you were put through, I will encourage you to speak with all your representatives as well as with other veterans from your VA hospital, as well as go on the hospital website if they have one and see what information they have. Also follow through with a complaint through the hospital command chain. Start at the top and make sure you get names, also contact the news media, because many news channels have reporters that report on veteran health issues and treatment. Sad to say that this is just another battle, but what does not kill you only helps to make you stronger.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 5:38 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 17:38:41 -0400

To me many of the VA cops are like Mall Cops and Campus PD. They spend a good amount of time harassing Veterans and so we need to investigate SLC and see why they have such a liberal definition of service pets and why an officer would berate a Veterans. For your knuckle-dragging apologists keep in mind that I saw it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 6:12 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 18:12:12 -0400

Sorry they did that to you.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Apr 8 at 2015 12:25 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 00:25:53 -0400

That the VA has their own police force tells me they need overhaul.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 12:29 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 00:29:11 -0400

Also, little known fact... it is illegal for anyone to ask you for proof that your service animal is, in fact, a service animal. Pretty darn sure that officer violated the ADA.

Response by 1LT Timothy Marienau made Aug 4 at 2015 2:59 AM

1LT Timothy Marienau — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 02:59:14 -0400

This VA needs to be reported to the local ADA. They don't get to rewrite the rules for service dogs. If the ESA dog is being good allow the Vet to feel better during his apt. You got morons running the police over there.

Response by PO1 Theresa Aldrich made Aug 11 at 2015 2:51 PM

PO1 Theresa Aldrich — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:51:43 -0400

LTJG Benjamin Finell, I'm just curious how they knew your dog was for PTSD. Did the guard just come up to you and start asking questions? My service dog is for balance and PTSD, because she helps with my balance and picks things up for me she wears a harness so I haven't had anyone question me at the VA. The VA's standard line is "Clinically, there is not enough research yet to know if dogs actually help treat PTSD and its symptoms. Evidence-based therapies and medications for PTSD are supported by research." http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/treatment/cope/dogs_and_ptsd.asp

Dogs and PTSD - PTSD: National Center for PTSD

Describes dogs as pets, service animals, and emotional support animals and discusses what is known about the role of dogs in PTSD recovery.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 1:20 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 13:20:03 -0400

the pos guard should be fired

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 1:21 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 13:21:58 -0400

my dog at home isnt a service dog but hes my best friend and gives me more support than i can expect

Response by COL William Oseles made Sep 20 at 2017 3:19 PM

COL William Oseles — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 15:19:55 -0400

Perhaps time to send a copy of that policy up chain with a formal compliant against the jackass rent-a-cop and the staff that came up with that policy.
Oh, and a copy to your Congress critters and the Salt Lake media.