VA Expanding Service Dog Benefits-- The proposed rule clarifies that veterinary-care benefits are authorized and sets up a clear procedure for VA to award those benefits.

Hello my friends,


I come to you today bearing good news. That's a change, isn't it. Are you ready?

Are you a disabled Veteran with a service dog? Are you considering getting a service dog? Than you definitely want to read this article published by Occupational Health and Safety, entitled VA Expanding Service Dog Benefits. The title itself is a bit of a misnomer. The VA isn't exactly "expanding" anything. Not yet. Read on.

This is a PROPOSAL to change to a current regulation already in place. It will add SERVICE DOGS to the current VA regulation which currently covers only Guide Dogs. Yes, some of you out there have had service dogs approved but as you know all too well it's been a real battle. This will (should) take the battle out of it for most of us with service dogs. The proposed regulation will define service dogs. It will spell out exactly what is covered by VA Prosthetics. It is also supposed to spell out the steps for applying -- something which varies from VA Hospital to VA Hospital. Wouldn't it be nice to have a standard?

READ THE FULL TEXT HERE: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-06-16/html/2011-14933.htm I suggest each of you take the time to read this carefully. It describes the proposed changes to the current regulation. Take notes if you have to of things you don't agree with. It will help you to better prepare your comments on this proposal.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? It's easy and it will only take a few minutes of your time. Go to Regulations.gov. There you will see a search key. In the box above it, enter the following, "VA-2011-VHA-0017-0001: AN51-Proposed Rule -Service Dogs" (minus the quotation marks). You have until August 15, 2011 to make comments. State facts. Leave emotions out of it. We all know the VA doesn't care about our emotions or how broke we are. Remember to compare it to a prosthetic device. State why you can't use a standard prosthetic device and why a SD is better for you. The VA will replace and pay to repair our prosthetic devices. Why shouldn't they pay to maintain our dogs? These are working dogs, not pets.

SPREAD THE WORD. Share this blog with every service dog organization you know. Ask them to comment on this proposed regulation. We need to get the word out. Share this with every Veteran you know who has a service dog. The more comments we have the better off we are. We want the VA, particularly Neal Eckrich, to know that we are paying attention. In your comments, tell him what type of service dog you have, not the breed, but what the dog does to assist, as in mobility, seizures, balance, etc.

WHAT THIS IS NOT. This is not for PTSD or mental health dogs. Let's be clear about that. The VA is currently conducting a three year study on the effects of PTSD dogs and their "value" to those of us with PTSD. This is strictly about service dogs that assist us with mobility issues, seizure issues, etc. Read the proposed explanation for further details.

Good luck everyone. Remember, spread this blog far and wide. Encourage everyone you know to comment on this proposed regulation. Let the folks at VA HQ in DC know we are paying attention and we're not going to let this one get by us without our comments. This is too critical for all of us to do nothing.

Until the next time I leave you with these photos of Rocco and me out on the town. I couldn't have done this without Rocco. Thanks to Service Dogs of Florida for helping me train and certify him!

Rocco SD and **Wendi (Who created this article for her blog... wants us to pass it on!)

**Posted by One Weary Soldier at Wednesday, June 22, 2011 0 comments



Summer's Beginning: Rosie and Benny spend some more time together; Working and Playing!

Rosie and I wait outside Target for the City Bus.

Rosie and I in the bus heading to town.  In these seats there really
is no foot room so I sometimes have her in my lap. (Paws up, front paws)
Mostly I try to get a better seat though.

Benny finds a good spot under the side seats on the City Bus.

Benny & Rosie at work in a fast food restaurant

Rosie and Benny NOT getting any fast food to eat.

Delta Society Definitions (Edited by Me): Service Dog, Therapy Dog, Emotional Support Dog

DELTA SOCIETY- (with some editing from me)

The Difference Between:
Service, Therapy, Companion and Emotional Support Animals

This service dog assists her handler by opening a door for her.

Service Dogs (and on occasion, miniature horses) are legally defined (Americans With Disabilities Act- ADA) and are trained to do work or perform tasks to meet the disability-related needs of their disabled individuals/handlers. Federal laws protect the rights of individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by their service dogs in public places to all places the general public is allowed with few exceptions. Service dogs are not considered 'pets'.  They are actually considered 'adaptive equipment'.  Examples of such animals include: Guide dogs for people with visual  impairments, hearing dogs for people with hearing impairments, medical alert dogs for people with diabetes, seizures, PTSD (and other psych disabilities), and also can be trained to assist people with mobility problems.  (They can be trained to pull wheelchairs, provide balance assistance, and brace to assist a person get up after a fall.)

This dog is a therapy dog that helps with a literacy program at a library.
(More information about "Tail Waggin Tutors" http://www.tdi-dog.org/)

Therapy Animals are not legally defined by federal law, but some states have laws defining therapy animals. They provide people with contact to animals, but are not limited to working with people who have disabilities. They are commonly found visiting hospitals, nursing and rehab facilities, retirement homes, and there are some programs where they provide a listening ear to children practicing their reading skills (in library programs). They are typically the personal pets of their handlers, and work with their handlers to provide services to others. Federal laws have no provisions for people to be accompanied by therapy animals in places of public accommodation that have "no pets" policies. Therapy animals frequently only have access to the places they visit only when they are scheduled to work. Therapy animals are not service animals, but service animals can be therapy animals.

This dog works in a therapist's office and provides comfort to the clients if they need it.  (Rest in Peace Daisy.)

A Companion Animal is not legally defined, but is accepted as another term for pet.

This dog is a pet or "companion animal".  He loves his kids, and they love him!

Emotional Support Animals have no legal definition. They are animals who's primary job is that of a pet.  They are allowed in "No Pets" housing to provide comfort to an individual with a disability.  Otherwise they have no public access where as a service dog does.  Emotional Support animals are allowed onto Airplanes as long as the handler has a note from a healthcare provider.  The letter must be shown at the airport.  People may also call these animals Comfort Dogs or Emotional Comfort dogs.

This dog is in training to be a service dog.  she is gently playing fetch with this 2 year old.