ptsd Va Denies Service Dogs

[Philip Rogers]

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2012/09/06/va-no-service-dogs-warranted-for-ptsd-sufferers.html?ESRC=army.nl

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[hedgey]

This is horrible news. This quote puts it in a nutshell..

"What it may mean in practice is, if we can tranquilize you to a certain level with psychotropic medications, then you don't need a dog," Ensminger said. "I think that is wrong."

bolding mine.

I was just getting ready to tell my VA therapist that he's right, a service dog might help me and I might be able to handle the responsibility. He's been trying to talk me into getting one! He'll be disgusted by this. Really disgusted.

I've seen several psych-service dogs around here, and at the VAMC.

So what's next, VA, are you going to bill the vets who have them already?

So with one side of it's mouth, the VA says PTSD is a real, serious and life altering illness. Out of the other side of it's mouth it says it isn't really a problem.

Wasn't it just yesterday (seems like) the VA was bragging about psych-service dogs and how they help us to get out and have lives? What will be yesterday's news tomorrow? Amputees don't need prosthetic limbs because they can hop or use wheel chairs?

Edited September 12, 2012 by hedgey

[Quint7]

WOW. I can tell you that for the 7 years I had my dog (a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, not an actual service dog) it made a huge difference in my life, just from a socialization point of view because I got out to parks and on walks that I just don't do anymore since he is gone.

As soon as I get my knee and hip taken care of and can walk well again I'll be back to owning a dog (as a soon to be medically retired fireman my schedule while working just wasn't fair to the dog.... 16 hour night shifts with him at home as our city bans dogs from the firehouses).

This is just another way VA gives us lip service. Someday they will give in like with AO and PTSD, but until then we suffer.

[Notorious Kelly]

The world is better off with me having a dog (Got her on my own).

Hedgey - you can pick up a nice doggy and get Service Dog Tag online; who's ever gonna call you on it?

Do what you need to do for you.

[Pete53]

I have had three Goldens since 1991. Without them I would be in a heck of a mess. Not only are they companions but have been an important part of my family. I swear that just rubbing on a dog can lower your blood pressure and make the world seem like a better place.

The VA is good at denying and taking a long time but today Veterans do not have to depend on VA for service dogs.

[Teac]

The world is better off with me having a dog (Got her on my own).

Hedgey - you can pick up a nice doggy and get Service Dog Tag online; who's ever gonna call you on it?

Do what you need to do for you.

You muight be surprised who would call you on it .. for one thing a real service dog is easy to spot,,, fakes are eaiser....

[hedgey]

Oh, I have two big ol' dogs who keep me company and safe when I'm at home. But like Teac said, I think it's not at all uncommon for people, well, store/restaurant owners, to want to see the actual certificate.

Plus, my furry buddies are great at home guard dogs, but they sure aren't trained (or trainable, from what I can figure) to go out into the world and behave like service dogs.

In the long run, this will hurt the VA. Which is cheaper - a trained service dog or 10 years of Home-bound?

My therapist has already said he would help me get home-bound if I wanted to apply for it.

I can sort of understand the VA's position... they see a clear opportunity to deny a service because even though the AMA promotes therapy pets, they don't have clear guidelines on the training and/or the service the pets should provide. This is the AMA's fault. It's not going to just give the VA an out, it will also give all Insurance companies an excuse not to cover the "treatment".

So now will this mean that all psych-dogs will lose their status? What does the ADA have to say about it?