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Steps for Veterans to Get a Service Dog
Unfortunately, many veterans suffer from a variety of disabilities after returning to civilian life. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has reported that approximately 30% of veterans experience symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from experiencing war and/or assault.
Other veterans may have sustained an injury during their time in the military, or experience vision or hearing loss. If a veteran is experiencing significant physical, mental, or mobile limitations in their day-to-day life due to these disabilities, they may qualify for a Service Dog or an ESA.
If you think an ESA is right for you, learn how to qualify for an emotional support animal.
If you know that an ESA will help you, learn how to get an ESA Letter.
The VA has developed a program to provide qualified veterans with service dogs. Upon diagnosis of either a physical or mental disability, a veteran can apply to have a service dog that will be covered under veteran benefits.
In order to obtain a service dog through the VA, the veteran needs to follow these steps.
- Meet with a Health Provider
- Adopt and Train your Service Dog
- Apply for VA Benefits
1. Meet with a VA health provider
In order to qualify for a service dog, a veteran must be diagnosed with a disability. The Veteran may choose to work with a health provider through the Department of Veteran Affairs or outside of the VA.
The Veteran’s disability can be either physical or mental in nature. The health provider will evaluate the individual’s specific physical limitations to determine the best method of assistance. If the provider believes that a service dog will be the best form of treatment for the veteran, they will request the benefit through the local Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service. The Prosthetic and Sensory Aids service will make the final decision by approving or disapproving the request.
The Veteran can also choose to work with a medical provider to determine their need for a Service Dog on their own. They are not bound by the VA as they are civilians now and can seek out solutions that work best for them.
2. Adopt and train a service dog
If the service dog application is approved, the dog needs to have the proper temperament and the ability to perform tasks needed to assist with the diagnosed disability. The VA doesn’t provide service dogs to veterans, but will often refer the veteran to accredited agencies, such as Assistance Dog International (ADI), that will raise and train service dogs that meet VA standards.
The VA also provides veterans the opportunity to train their own service dogs, if they so choose.
There are no required registrations or documentation that needs to be completed, but the dog still needs to meet the same standards that an agency-trained dog would meet. This includes ensuring the dog has the proper temperament, follows the desired commands, and is able to work in public around distractions.
If the Veteran has adopted and trained their Service Dog themselves, they have the option to register their service dog in a national database and order a custom Service Dog ID card along with a vest for their newly minted Service Dog.
3. Apply for VA Veterinary Health Benefits
Upon approval for a service dog, veterans can now have their service dog enrolled in Veterinary Health Benefits. These benefits includes comprehensive treatment and wellness checks, emergency care, immunizations, and illness treatment for the dog that will be serving the veteran. This is to ensure that the service dog remains in good health to best serve the veteran. They will also provide the proper equipment needed for the dog, such as a harness or vest. VA Health Benefits do not cover medications, food, or grooming assistance that is unrelated to the health of the dog.
Service dogs have proven to increase independence and provide feelings of comfort and safety for veterans that are suffering from debilitating disabilities. Service dogs aren’t pets to these individuals, but are working animals that have a strong desire to please their owners.
While not all dogs have the ability to become qualified as service dogs, those who do can make life-altering differences for their owners.
To register your Service Dog and order your Service Dog Certification, click on the link below.
About the Author: The writing team at Service Dog Certifications is made up of folks who really know their stuff when it comes to disability laws and assistance animals. Many of our writers and editors have service dogs themselves and share insights from their own experiences. All of us have a passion for disability rights and animals.
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Can I get my own dog and hv him registered as service dog?
Yes, you can train and certify your service dog yourself. You may find this article on service dog training interesting: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/service-dog-training-guide-the-basics/
Are German Shepherd dogs considered good candidates for service dogs?
In general, German Shepherds make excellent service dogs. However, it always depends on the handler’s needs if they benefit best from a German Shepherd or if they should have a smaller or larger breed dog. For example, for handlers with a mental health disorder, German Shepherds are among the 10 best service dog breeds https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/10-best-psychiatric-service-dog-breeds/
If I have a dog will the VA pay for my dog to be trained or do I pay for the training and I will get reimbursed or it’s on the Veteran to have them trained?
My ex husband has had a hip replacement and severe glaucoma. He has been legally blind for many years.
How can I qualify him for a service dod?
If you need advice if your ex-husband would benefit from a service dog, and what tasks the service dog could perform for him, it’s best to talk to his doctor. Together you might be able to define what type of dog would be the best fit. You may find this article on qualifying for a service dog interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/disabilities-qualify-service-dog/
My VA psychiatrist said the VA will not recommend service animals for Veterans because they will use them as crutches and not fully recover from the trauma. I’m still fighting it but it’s more depressing to be prescribed pills and not something I think that would be more therapeutic.
OMG, I am sorry but your VA psychiatrist is a quack. There are endless benefits to having a service dog. Likewise, multiple studies and research that prove the benefits of service dogs. Look into the Library of Medicine and you’ll find all the information you need in regards to service dog benefits. I copied this phrase from one of the most common statements, “Service dogs act as loyal companions which can help ease feelings of loneliness and provide a sense of security and consistent care. As they say, dogs are man’s best friend! Studies have also shown that service dogs provide health benefits and can increase fitness, lower stress, and improve happiness.” You might need to get a new therapist. There are many programs available that provide free therapy outside of the VA; look into one of these. It shouldn’t be difficult just a little time-consuming. Most doctors want to fix you up with pills instead of teaching coping mechanisms. Pills are what keeps their job going. Therapy that teaches you to deal with your trauma is temporary and you might need fewer visits in the future to keep you studied in your treatment. If any doctor/psychiatrist wants to fill you up with pills and avoids other options, run away. A good doctor will always give you options that benefit your well being. Best of luck and many prayers for you, don’t give up please.
Agreed. This guy needs a new shrink. Both of my docs actually recommended this to me, that’s the reason I’m looking into it.
I agree with you 100% I hate taking pills. A dog would be better for me too
You have the right to request a new doctor. I have done that and they do not even question why, they just do it because it is your right as a patient!
Ask your idiot lazy shrink about the 22 vets a day that kill themselves. What are they leaning on? That person is just being ignorant and doesn’t want to do the paperwork.
Hello, Do they give us a Service dog to adopt or do we got our own service dog ?
This is very misleading. To receive benefits the dog has to be a graduate from an Assistance Dogs International program. Don’t go get a dog prior to talking to the program you plan to apply to. Many will not accept outside dogs and the ones that will have very specific requirements!
Service dogs do not have to be trained by any particular organization, they can even be self-trained by the owner.
The VA doesnt provide service dogs as of Feb 2022. Only Veterinarian insurance, which the dog has to graduate from ADI or the IDGF programs to qualify. The PAWS act is only a pilot program that will be in only 5 VA’s for five years. The sites have yet to be determined. There has been no guidelines as of yet on how the VA is going to implement this pilot program. To be determined.
I have one from the VA from a spinal injury, tbi, and my ptsd so don’t know why you did not get one from them.
I am a 100% mentally disabled veteran due to a service connect PTSD condition caused be sexual trauma while in the Military. I’m frequently emotional with depression, anxiety, flashbacks, violent nightmares, hearing voices and seeing hallucinations and have flashbacks and more symptoms while my time in the military. I live alone and feel a need to have a service dog to help me emotionally. I feel that it will help me cope with my issues. But I have one problem, my landlord does not accept pets of any kind at the apartments where I live. Is there anyway that you can look into this.
We strongly recommend speaking to your licensed therapist or doctor about your mental health issues. You may find these articles about PSDs and ESAs helpful:
https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/psychiatric-service-dog/
https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/emotional-support-dog-requirements/
I have PTSD and a US Navy vet and was wondering how to have my cat put on as my emotional support animal
You may find this article helpful (the title says it’s for dogs, but the process for getting an emotional support cat is the same): https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-get-an-emotional-support-dog-letter/
My name is Michael J. Daniels 4year verteran Air Force Turkey I suffer with PTSD, anxiety,and social phobia. Can I choose the dog I like. I been study the Belgian Malinois dog
We suggest consulting with your healthcare professional and possibly a trainer to see what breed may be appropriate for you. The right breed depends on the owner’s specific needs (i.e., the job they need the dog to perform in relation to their disability).
I already have a letter from my VA Therapist stating that I would benefit from having an emotional support animal and I have a wonderful dog already that helped me. I just need to get identification. For her and supplies for her that identify her as an emotional support animal.
An ESA letter is all you need to qualify for an emotional support animal, but you can also get an ID card at your option once you qualify so you can let others easily know your pet is an ESA. Please see this link to obtain an ID card: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/emotional-support-animal-id/
Hello, my name is Joe Quilkes and I am a veteran retired. Two weeks ago, I had to put my service dog down. We were in the Army together for two years. I am getting a new service dog puppy in training, and I would like to know more about the benefits that you offer. I have several disabilities and the I need a new service dog.
We’re so sorry to hear about the passing of your service dog, and we thank you for your service. Once your new service dog is fully trained we would be happy to help you with service dog accessories like ID cards, certificates, tags and vests. You might find this article on service dog requirements useful in the meantime: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/service-dog-requirements/
I have severe migraine headaches (approx. 4 to 7 a day) and knee problems. I’m 100% disabled. Would I qualify for a service dog?
We suggest talking to your healthcare provider and possibly consulting with an experienced service dog trainer.
We adopted a dog from a local rescue. We would like to attend your training to become a certified emotional pet.
We are not a training organization but we think you might find this article helpful if you’re just getting started with the service dog process: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/service-dog-requirements/
I am 100% Disabled for Asthma/ Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, do I qualify for a service dog
Having an eligible disability is the first step. The next step is to have a need for a trained service dog that somehow directly assists with managing your condition by performing a specific job or task.