VA Announces New Rules Regarding Service Animals in VA Facilities
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs sent this bulletin at 08/17/2015 11:32 AM EDT
VA Announces New Rules Regarding Service
Animals
in VA Facilities
WASHINGTON – Today the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has revised its
regulation regarding the presence of animals on VA property. The updated
regulation will ensure VA practices remain consistent with applicable federal law. It will also assist individuals entering VA facilities in
developing a clear and consistent understanding of the criteria governing
facility access for service animals.
“As I have traveled to
VA facilities throughout the country, I have heard from many Veterans about
what a vital role their service animals play in their lives,” said Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald. “The revised regulation will ensure
Veterans and employees have clear guidance regarding the presence of service
animals in our facilities. VA remains committed to ensuring America’s Veterans
have access to the health care benefits for which they are eligible.”
Under the revised
regulation, only dogs that are individually trained to perform work or tasks on
behalf of an individual with a disability will be considered service
animals.Other animals will not be
permitted in VA facilities, unless expressly allowed as an exception under the
regulation for activities such as animal-assisted therapy or for other reasons
such as law enforcement purposes. The regulation further confirms that service
animals may access VA property subject to the same terms that govern the
admission of the public to VA property, andmay be restricted from certain areas on VA properties to ensure that
patient care, patient safety, and infection control standards are not
compromised.
In accordance with
required practices, the revised regulation was published in the Federal
Register in November 2014, to obtain feedback from Veterans, advocacy
organizations and other stakeholders.
Over the next thirty
days, VA will provide training to frontline employees and ensure policies at
all facilities are consistent with the new regulation.