Vets groups split on therapy dogs legislation

[The Straight Story]

Vets groups split on therapy dogs legislation

Proposed legislation requiring the Veterans Affairs Department to train and provide therapy dogs for former service members is drawing mixed reviews from influential veterans’ groups.

A bill introduced by Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., calls for VA to launch a five-year pilot program to study the value of providing trained dogs to those diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, mental health issues or physical disabilities.

Grimm said he drafted the legislation, HR 198, to help veterans and study the effectiveness of such animals in a “controlled environment with proper oversight.”

But VA and several veterans groups oppose Grimm’s bill. On Monday, spokesmen for VA and the Veterans of Foreign Wars voiced their opposition before the House Veterans’ Affairs Commimttee’s health panel, while representatives from Disabled American Veterans and the Vietnam Veterans of America remained noncommittal or raised concerns about the program’s certification standards.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/07/military-vets-groups-split-on-therapy-dogs-bill-72611w/

[KurtNYC]

1. Says that dogs have been turned away from Veterans facilities

I thought federal ADA laws already mandated access for service dogs for any person with an ADA condition ?

Maybe the key issue here is PTSD which has been kicked around for hundreds of years. It has been called "shell shock" and a variety of other names over the decades. Seems like the VA isn't too keen on embracing treatments for PTSD.

[CountAllVotes]

5. Not easy to get a service dog if you have an ADA condition

One place wanted $15,000.00 for one!

The other place wanted $2500.00 for one.

The other place wanted $2000.00 for one.

I gave up after that.

So much for the ADA. May this bastard legislation that does very little for those that actually do have an ADA condition know all about it.

Any dog can be a "service dog". You buy a little vest on eBay and bingo, you got it!

:grr:

:kick:

[KurtNYC]

6. It is a felony to impersonate an ADA qualified person and a felony

for you to claim your dog is a service dog if it is not certified. Punishments include fines, jail time and the possible seizure of your dog. That vest may be the most expensive thing that some people ever buy on eBay.

In some states you are allowed to train your own service dog but it must pass certification.

[CountAllVotes]

8. well maybe that is what happened

To the place that was selling collies for $15,000.00 that were supposedly trained; no where to be found now. You could snap up a great deal on one that was partially trained for a mere $5,000.00+. :argh:

[KurtNYC]

12. There are non-profits who specialize in service dogs for vets

These guys are in Maryland:
http://www.hero-dogs.org/

And there are excellent breeder / trainer entities like:
http://www.berginu.edu/

and this organization for vets is an off-shoot of Bergin:
http://www.pawsforpurplehearts.org/

I have visited Bergin and seen the training. Top notch.

[MineralMan]

2. Any dog or other pet is therapeutic for some people.

I think this is especially true for people with PTSD and some affective disorders. I've seen many people for whom a dog has been a lifesaver. No training was needed. The two trained each other. It doesn't work in every situation, of course, but keeping pets can be very beneficial. Still, determining who will benefit and how the pet is to be paid for is another matter altogether.

[LiberalFighter]

7. I agree. There needs to be a line between needing a fully trained dog

vs one that a vet finds on their own.

If there is a problem the vet should be reviewed and determine the proper treatment. If they don't necessarily need a trained dog but find the companionship of a dog or other animal would be be useful the VA should not provide. That means the vet pays the bill for getting their own dog. But, it would probably be helpful for the VA to at least provide some training on how to train their dog how to do some tasks.

[jwirr]

10. That is what I was thinking. Remember seeing something about how

many homeless have dogs (many may be veterans) and how comforting it was for them. I would say the one characteristic these dogs would need was a loving loyalty to their masters. Many elderly also find companionship in their pets.

[Angry Dragon]

3. I thought that Franken had that bill passed in 2009

[Shagbark Hickory]

4. If the patients say it works then it fucking works. End of story.

[HelenWheels]

9. Difference between service dogs and therapy dogs

A service has very intensive training while a therapy dog has a good basic obedience training. My dog is a therapy dog, meaning I can take her into schools, hospitals, nursing homes, etc to interact with the residents.

[jwirr]

11. Okay I have seen dogs like that at work in nursing homes. Can anyone

tell me what type of duty the service dogs do for our veterans with PTSD?

[KurtNYC]

13. Please see the video here

http://www.pawsforpurplehearts.org/

The dog give instant feedback and can interrupt PTSD Aids with sleep and depression.

[jwirr]

14. Thank you. This is a good cause. I am glad that we have finally found

something that helps these veterans.