Posted on Feb 9, 2022
4 Things Veterans Should Consider Before Getting a Service Dog or Emotional Support Animal
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Research has shown that Veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and people with other mental and physical diagnoses can benefit from the assistance of service dogs, which can be trained to prevent injuries from falls and stabilize the care of those with depression.
But caring for a service dog or another furry companion can be a complex — and costly —undertaking. Consider these four factors before determining if a service animal would be a fit for you and your family:
1. Understand how different animals are categorized. How does a service dog differ from an emotional support animal? Quite a lot where the law is concerned, according to a journal article published in the November-December 2021 issue of Missouri Medicine and guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The Americans for Disabilities Act (ADA) specifically defines a service dog as one individually trained to perform certain tasks if you have a disability, the journal article authors write. DOJ notes that “disability” can include mental health diagnoses such as PTSD, panic attacks or anxiety. The law also protects your right as the handler to take your service dog with you to most public places. ADA protection limits your need to show the service dog’s documentation or to demonstrate what services he or she performs, according to the journal article. And under the ADA, miniature horses, which often live more than twice as long as canines, can also be considered service animals, the journal article states.
Emotional support animals, defined by DOJ as providing you with “comfort” that is not related to your disability, are not protected by the ADA: https://rly.pt/3spqVIV. However, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ruled Jan. 28, 2020, that service animals and emotional support animals are protected under the Fair Housing Act: https://rly.pt/34uyndN
Details: Review the Missouri Medicine journal article at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8672946. Review more on service dogs and the ADA at https://beta.ada.gov/topics/service-animals.
2. Know which training issues are involved. DOJ notes that the ADA does not require you or your service dog to undergo professional service dog training — if you are a person with a disability, you can train your service dog yourself. However, this type of training is required to obtain service dog veterinary health insurance benefits available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), described below. Details: https://rly.pt/3oxIN3e
3. Explore VA benefits. Service dogs and Veterans trained by an accredited service or guide dog organization such as Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dog Federation can receive benefits under VA’s Service Dog Veterinary Health Benefit program. If you’re enrolled in VA care, you may be prescribed a service or guide dog for assistance with a visual, hearing, “substantial mobility impairment” or mental health mobility issue, according to VA.
To apply for the benefit, you first meet with your VA clinical care or mental health provider, who starts the process for applying for service dog benefits. If approved, you’re referred to an accredited service dog training organization. Approved benefits cover service dog-related expenses such as comprehensive veterinary care and equipment, urgent care and prescription medications. Details: https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/ServiceAndGuideDogs.asp.
4. See if therapy dog visitation is an option. Therapy dogs are another option in animal-assisted companionship. According to the Missouri Medicine journal article, therapy dogs are often registered and certified by national or local organizations and brought by volunteers into settings like hospitals, including VA facilities caring for Veterans.
In 2019, VA teamed up with Pet Partners, a national organization that promotes the benefits of animal-assisted therapy, activities and education, with the goal of connecting more Veterans with animal therapies and related volunteer opportunities. The partnership also sought to standardize such care at VA medical centers and encourage more VA facilities to integrate these services. Pet Partners offers a training course for therapy dog handlers interested in working with Veterans. The course covers topics such as previsitation tasks, Veteran-specific health conditions, and how best to support and interact with Veterans on pet therapy visits.
Details: Read more about the VA partnership at https://rly.pt/365MIOp and https://rly.pt/3GQuGfL Explore the availability of Pet Partners in your community and request facility toolkits at https://petpartners.org/learn/pet-partners-at-your-facility.
Learn more
America’s VetDogs: https://www.vetdogs.org/Default.aspx
Assistance Dogs International: https://assistancedogsinternational.org
International Guide Dog Federation: https://www.igdf.org.uk
VA’s Service Dog Veterinary Health Benefit main page: https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/ServiceAndGuideDogs.asp
VA’s frequently asked questions about guide vs. service dogs: https://www.va.gov/MS/Veterans/benefits/Guide_and_Service_Dogs.asp
But caring for a service dog or another furry companion can be a complex — and costly —undertaking. Consider these four factors before determining if a service animal would be a fit for you and your family:
1. Understand how different animals are categorized. How does a service dog differ from an emotional support animal? Quite a lot where the law is concerned, according to a journal article published in the November-December 2021 issue of Missouri Medicine and guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The Americans for Disabilities Act (ADA) specifically defines a service dog as one individually trained to perform certain tasks if you have a disability, the journal article authors write. DOJ notes that “disability” can include mental health diagnoses such as PTSD, panic attacks or anxiety. The law also protects your right as the handler to take your service dog with you to most public places. ADA protection limits your need to show the service dog’s documentation or to demonstrate what services he or she performs, according to the journal article. And under the ADA, miniature horses, which often live more than twice as long as canines, can also be considered service animals, the journal article states.
Emotional support animals, defined by DOJ as providing you with “comfort” that is not related to your disability, are not protected by the ADA: https://rly.pt/3spqVIV. However, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ruled Jan. 28, 2020, that service animals and emotional support animals are protected under the Fair Housing Act: https://rly.pt/34uyndN
Details: Review the Missouri Medicine journal article at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8672946. Review more on service dogs and the ADA at https://beta.ada.gov/topics/service-animals.
2. Know which training issues are involved. DOJ notes that the ADA does not require you or your service dog to undergo professional service dog training — if you are a person with a disability, you can train your service dog yourself. However, this type of training is required to obtain service dog veterinary health insurance benefits available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), described below. Details: https://rly.pt/3oxIN3e
3. Explore VA benefits. Service dogs and Veterans trained by an accredited service or guide dog organization such as Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dog Federation can receive benefits under VA’s Service Dog Veterinary Health Benefit program. If you’re enrolled in VA care, you may be prescribed a service or guide dog for assistance with a visual, hearing, “substantial mobility impairment” or mental health mobility issue, according to VA.
To apply for the benefit, you first meet with your VA clinical care or mental health provider, who starts the process for applying for service dog benefits. If approved, you’re referred to an accredited service dog training organization. Approved benefits cover service dog-related expenses such as comprehensive veterinary care and equipment, urgent care and prescription medications. Details: https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/ServiceAndGuideDogs.asp.
4. See if therapy dog visitation is an option. Therapy dogs are another option in animal-assisted companionship. According to the Missouri Medicine journal article, therapy dogs are often registered and certified by national or local organizations and brought by volunteers into settings like hospitals, including VA facilities caring for Veterans.
In 2019, VA teamed up with Pet Partners, a national organization that promotes the benefits of animal-assisted therapy, activities and education, with the goal of connecting more Veterans with animal therapies and related volunteer opportunities. The partnership also sought to standardize such care at VA medical centers and encourage more VA facilities to integrate these services. Pet Partners offers a training course for therapy dog handlers interested in working with Veterans. The course covers topics such as previsitation tasks, Veteran-specific health conditions, and how best to support and interact with Veterans on pet therapy visits.
Details: Read more about the VA partnership at https://rly.pt/365MIOp and https://rly.pt/3GQuGfL Explore the availability of Pet Partners in your community and request facility toolkits at https://petpartners.org/learn/pet-partners-at-your-facility.
Learn more
America’s VetDogs: https://www.vetdogs.org/Default.aspx
Assistance Dogs International: https://assistancedogsinternational.org
International Guide Dog Federation: https://www.igdf.org.uk
VA’s Service Dog Veterinary Health Benefit main page: https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/ServiceAndGuideDogs.asp
VA’s frequently asked questions about guide vs. service dogs: https://www.va.gov/MS/Veterans/benefits/Guide_and_Service_Dogs.asp
Dog Training
Dogs
Animals
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Mental Health
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 7
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Another thing, all costs related to feeding, housing, veterinary care and medicine for service dogs can be deducted from your federal income tax if you itemize.
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LtCol Bruce Janis
My service dog passed away last May. 12 years old and 9 of them as my service dos. Anytime I travelled in the USA or Canada, she went with me. Still grieving her loss. She was my PTSD dog and served well.
Once you are certified as to your need, get your dog trained and certified, use her everywhere you go! Overseas is a hassle. Lot of tests you have to have done to meet EU requirements, or even Hawaii. Goodbye Tai, I miss you.
Once you are certified as to your need, get your dog trained and certified, use her everywhere you go! Overseas is a hassle. Lot of tests you have to have done to meet EU requirements, or even Hawaii. Goodbye Tai, I miss you.
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Suspended Profile
LtCol Bruce Janis - I'm very sorry you lost your bestie. I have only a few photos of all 4 of my pals tucked away on my phone, and even though it's probably ridiculous, swiping left and looking every now and then somehow helps. Some days are better than others, but I find myself wandering back to better moments. It helps me. Just a suggestion. "Forward, come what may".
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Before selecting an animal consider this first ... Your lifestyle and where you live! Whether you are a person that enjoys the great outdoors camping, traveling around the world, or simply taking long quiet walks; these are all activities that need to be considered when selecting your animal. And then there is the place you lay your head down each night and call home. Whether you choose to live in an urban, suburban, or rural area is another determining factor when selecting your animal. Selecting an animal that doesn't fit with your live style or location can turn well deserved support into nothing but a tragic burden ...
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To get a service dog from the VA it can take up to 10 yrs to get it.If you get one on your own it can cost upward to $ 35,000.00 dollars
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TSgt Beth Peterson
LtCol Bruce Janis - Congratulations on self-training your Service Dog -- and all the great information about how a Veteran could obtain a SD. Best Wishes! <3
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LtCol Bruce Janis
TSgt Beth Peterson - Much as I would like to claim credit for Tai’s training, TADSAW paid for a local trainer. I should also mention that although mine was a PTSD dog, service dogs can assist with a number of problems; hearing, balance, sight, and others I am probably unaware of.
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TSgt Beth Peterson
LtCol Bruce Janis - Yes, there are many issues in which a Service Dog can help. I have assisted folks with their Diabetic-Alert dogs and Psychiatric SD too. There are dogs that have been taught to scent peanuts for those, particularly children, with server peanut allergies. We also have dog who can sniff out cancers - with a 98.5% correct - and now Covid. Remarkable!
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Suspended Profile
I don't think someone in need should have to wait that long, but I do understand the back issues. My remedy for that is to regularly visit local shelters, rescues, service organizations, and even the area-wide (if you can safely travel) animal centers (usually known as "the dog pound") to network and get some contact information. 3 of my 4 SD's were rescues, only one had the basic behavior training foundation. There are trainers who work independently, depending of course on your location. I have even had contact from places like Petco, PetSmart, and others. Visit or call a few local veterinarians, see if they have recommendations to follow. I think someone really motivated can find the right animal, without spending thousands of dollars. The 3 who were rescued were homed at my local golden retriever rescue. One was a senior who was actually certified per AKC and ADA, but she'd been dumped there by an AH who didn't want an old dog-his mother had died and the poor baby had been left outside overnight because "she looked at me funny". My rescue mentor just jumped on her, and immediately reached out to me. (I'd adopted from her numerous times. DIVA turned out to be meticulously attentive to every single training phrase/command/gesture. It felt like winning the canine rescue lottery. Sadly I had to let her cross the rainbow bridge about 4 years later, but during our time together she was my bonded buddy.
So my point is that someone can find the right dog, by using all sorts of connections arnd options. It might not happen for the first dog or the tenth, but there is an animal for the right person.
If you need and can handle a SD, don't give up until you find your right match. And save your thousands of $$$-some are free, some are minimal cost, but all are waiting for the right person to come along and be their buddy.
It's do-able.
So my point is that someone can find the right dog, by using all sorts of connections arnd options. It might not happen for the first dog or the tenth, but there is an animal for the right person.
If you need and can handle a SD, don't give up until you find your right match. And save your thousands of $$$-some are free, some are minimal cost, but all are waiting for the right person to come along and be their buddy.
It's do-able.
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