[NAGDU] FW: [GDUI Chat] Veterans Administration (VA) Signage About Service Dogs

[Madison Martin]

-----Original Message-----
From: Sarah Calhoun [mailto:sc-tico at att.net] 
Sent: August-21-19 12:20 PM
To: GDUI Chat <chat at guidedogusersinc.org>
Subject: [GDUI Chat] Veterans Administration (VA) Signage About Service Dogs

FYI

 

From: Melanie Brunson <mbrunson at bva.org <mailto:mbrunson at bva.org> >

Subject: [VA Signage About Service Dogs

Date: August 19, 2019 at 1:09:59 PM CDT

Hello all,

 

VA central office has recently issued a memo to all medical centers recommending that they post signs at various locations around their buildings explaining VA’s policies regarding the circumstances under which dogs are allowed on VA property. The memo is accompanied by the text and specifications for the sign to be used. I shared the wording with the group that met during the convention, and as promised, I also wanted to post it to this list. Please excuse any strange formatting that may result from my cut and paste efforts. The text reads as follows:

 

 Melanie Brunson

 

 

SERVICE DOGS WELCOME

Please Remember:

*	Only trained Service Dogs are permitted on VA property. They must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered and under the handler’s control at all times. Service Dogs “in training” are not Service Dogs.
*	Pets, companions, emotional support dogs or other species of support animals are not permitted on VA property.
*	Animals registered in VA’s AT/AAA programs are permitted on VA property. Service Dogs must be trained to eliminate their waste outdoors. Handlers are responsible for any accidents and for removing waste.
*	Service Dogs are not permitted in operating/surgical rooms, acute in-patient care, or areas that would affect patient care, safety or infection control standards
*	Service Dogs not house broken, aggressive toward people or other Service Dogs, engaging in running, excessive barking, jumping on people or furniture, etc., may be removed from the property.

 

(Cute little image of a golden retriever)

 

During a meeting with the VHA staff responsible for this signage, I was told that it is a work in progress, but they wanted to get the word out and try to get VAMCs working under more consistent policies. It is my understanding that this is only the beginning of VA’s effort to take steps nationwide to deal with the increasing number of incidents arising from poorly trained and unruly animals on VA property. This is a good sign if true. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

 

This week and next, please let me know if you have any questions. I will be in the office until the end of August. Friday, August 30 is regrettably my last day.

 

All the best to each of you, and to BVA!

Melanie

Melanie Brunson

Director of Government Relations

Blinded Veterans Association

125 N. West St, 3rd Floor

Alexandria, VA 22314

(800) 669 7079
(202) 371 8880 ext. 305
(202) 371 8258 Fax 

mbrunson at bva.org <mailto:mbrunson at bva.org> 

 

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