Service animals come in many different species (dogs, miniature horses, pigs, even monkeys!), but the most common are service dogs, who are specially trained to help with specific actions that directly relate to a person's disability. These trained canines can aid with both mental and physical health conditions – and for veterans, it's quite common for service dogs to help with PTSD symptoms. One study found that veterans with service dogs showed less signs of PTSD and overall improved wellness.
But what exactly do they do to help, and how does it all work if you decide you'd like to have a service dog? Here's what veterans should know:
What do service dogs do, and how can they benefit veterans?
In short, service dogs help people with disabilities regarding a variety of different tasks. Both mental and physical, their special training enables them to listen to requests and look for signs in their human. These are a few of the most typical things that service dogs do:
Provide stability for people who have difficulty walking
Pick up or move items to assist in mobility
Guide people who have vision difficulties or blindness
Protect from seizures or warn about other medical episodes
Provide a sense of calm and relaxation amid mental health episodes
By taking care of these important tasks, this helps service dog owners regain their independence and feel a greater sense of comfort in their daily lives. Many veterans struggle with service-related mental health conditions, along with physical ailments as a result of military service, many of which service dogs are specifically trained to support. Since mental health conditions like PTSD can worsen physical health conditions, it's important for veterans to get support both mentally and physically as they heal – and service dogs can do both.
Does the VA provide service dogs?
The VA does not provide service dogs, but they do provide veterinary care and other related benefits through the Service Dog Veterinary Health Insurance Benefit. In order for a veteran with a service dog to receive these specific benefits, the VA's 38CFR has a few different criteria outlined here.
What organizations provide service dogs for veterans?
Thankfully, there are some awesome organizations that work to provide service dogs specifically for veterans, some of them at low or no-cost. Check out these great organizations:
Aa for training programs for service dogs – they are state-specific, since the ADA regulations are generic and minimal.
Get expertly crafted medical documents for your VA disability benefits claim
The most effective VA disability benefits claims begin with strong documentation. A compelling Nexus Letter, DBQ, and other supporting documents can make all the difference between a low rating and high rating for service-connected conditions. We help veterans document their medical conditions and prove them to the VA, earning the VA disability benefits they need to move forward. Start with a chart review or view our other services here.
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