NOTE:  I previously incorrectly referred to the VA payments as a monthly stipend.  I’ve made those corrections here and on other posts as well.  There’s enough misinformation on the subject of service dogs out there already without me adding to it – my apologies.

My friend Christina Roof at AMVETS just posted a reminder about this a few days ago, which reminded ME that I shoulda put this up when it first happened in April, and didn’t (no good reason).

Veterans with service dogs are now eligible for the same VA benefits that veterans with guide dogs have been receiving for years.

Details here:  “VA Clarifies Veterans’ Assistance Dog Policies, Offering Benefits For New and Previously-Denied Claims”

This is an absolute must-read for anyone with an interest in service dogs for veterans (i.e., EVERYBODY). It explains the VA policy on service dogs, the process to have one approved, and how to apply for the  benefits VA provides for care of the dog. (BTW, the link in that article to the VA site is wrong – this is the correct one: http://www.prosthetics.va.gov/ServiceDogFAQ.asp )

I talked about this issue back in September of last year (“Finally, The Real Story About The Department Of Veterans Affairs And Service Dogs For Veterans”). As I said at the time, it seemed like, after 7 years of saying they weren’t gonna do it, the service dog change just ‘showed up’ on the VA website one day without any announcement.  Plus it also appeared that veterans were still getting differing answers about that change depending on what office they talked to.

This clarification addresses those issues. And, as the AMVETS release says, you need to reapply for this benefit even if – in fact, ESPECIALLY if – you were turned down before.

The big issue here, and my concern all along, has been that there could’ve been many veterans who might’ve applied for a service dog, but haven’t because they’ve been concerned about handling the routine expenses, and they just didn’t want to say that.

We’re never gonna know how many we missed in the 7 years it took to make this change, but at least that’s not something we should have to worry about any more.

Assuming, of course, the process works as advertised. I’m VERY interested to see people’s experiences with it -  please let me know what they are, good or bad.

ble for the same VA monthly stipend for expenses that veterans with guide dogs have been receiving for years.