[nagdu] GUIDE DOGS AND SERVICE DOGS ON VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (VHA) PROPERTY

Ginger Kutsch GingerKutsch at yahoo.com
Tue May 31 14:01:10 UTC 2011


GUIDE DOGS AND SERVICE DOGS ON VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (VHA) PROPERTY


 

Department of Veterans Affairs VHA DIRECTIVE 2011-013 

Veterans Health Administration 

Washington, DC 20420 March 10, 2011 

 

GUIDE DOGS AND SERVICE DOGS ON VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (VHA) PROPERTY


 

1. PURPOSE: This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directive establishes
policy 

regarding Veterans and members of the public who enter VHA facilities and
properties 

accompanied by guide dogs (also known as seeing-eye dogs) and other service
dogs. NOTE: 

This Directive only addresses guide dogs and other service dogs accessing
VHA facilities and 

properties when acting in their capacity as a service animal performing
guide and service duties 

for a disabled individual. 

 

2. BACKGROUND 

 

a. Trained guide dogs and other trained service dogs can have a significant
role in 

maintaining functionality and promoting maximal independence of individuals
with disabilities. 

Individuals with disabilities are authorized to enter VHA facilities and
property accompanied by 

their trained guide dog or trained service dog consistent with the same
terms and conditions, and 

subject to the same regulations that govern the admission of the general
public to the property. 

 

b. Therapy animals, companion animals, emotional support animals, and pets
are not 

considered service animals, and their access to VHA facilities and
properties are not covered by 

this Directive. 

 

c. Definitions 

 

(1) Disability. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one 

or more of the major life activities of the individual; a record of such an
impairment; or being 

regarded as having such an impairment. 

 

 

(2) Guide Dog. A guide dog (also known as seeing-eye dogs) is a type of
service animal 

that recognizes and avoids any obstacle that would harm the handler, keeps
the handler on a 

straight route, and is able to selectively disobey commands that would lead
to the handler's harm 

(e.g., crossing the street in the path of an on-coming car). 

 

(3) Service Dog. A service dog is one that is specially trained to do work
or perform tasks 

for the benefit of an individual with a disability who cannot perform the
work or task 

independent of the dog. The work or tasks performed by the service animal
must be directly 

related to the individual's disability, and the service provided by the dog
must compensate or 

offset the disability that substantially limits one or more of the major
life activities of the 

individual. NOTE: This does not include service dogs in training. 

 

3. POLICY: It is VHA policy to permit guide dogs (seeing-eye dogs) and other
service dogs to 

accompany individuals with a disability to all areas of a VHA facility and
property on the same 

terms and conditions, and subject to the same regulations, as generally
govern the admission of 

the public to the property while maintaining a safe environment for
patients, employees, visitors, 

and the service dog. 

 

4. ACTION 

 

a. The Chief Officer, Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS). The Chief
Officer, RCS, 

is responsible for ensuring all RCS Vet Center staff are aware of, and
comply with, this 

Directive. 

 

b. Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) Director. Each VISN Director
is 

responsible for ensuring that VISN facilities have a written policy on guide
dogs and service 

dogs that conforms to this Directive no later than June 30, 2011. 

 

c. Facility Director. Each Facility Director, or designee, in accordance
with Title 38 Code 

of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 1.218(a) (11), has the authority to
make determinations 

regarding the entry of dogs into VHA facilities or on VHA property. The
Facility Director is 

responsible for ensuring, that no later than June 30, 2011, there is a
written published policy that 

directly and specifically addresses trained guide dogs and service dogs
accompanying 

individuals with disabilities entering VHA facilities. This policy is to
include, but is not limited 

to: 

 

(1) The dog is not permitted to run free or roam in VHA buildings or on VHA
property. 

 

(2) The dog must be in a guiding harness, or on a leash, and under control
at all times while 

in VHA buildings or on VHA property. 

 

5. REFERENCES 

 

a. Title 40 United States Code 3103. 

 

b. Title 38 CFR 1.218. 

 

6. FOLLOW-UP RESPONSIBILITY: The Chief Officer, Patient Care Services (11)
is 

responsible for the contents of this Directive. Questions are referred to
(202) 461-7590. 

 

7. RESCISSIONS: None. This Directive expires March 31, 2016. 

 

Robert A. Petzel, M.D. 

Under Secretary for Health 

 

DISTRIBUTION: 

E-mailed to the VHA Publications Distribution List 3/11/2011 

 

 

 

 




 




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