Veterans Administration (VA) Signage About Service Dogs
Sarah Calhoun
FYI
From: Melanie Brunson <mbru...@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
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Eric Calhoun
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Original Message:
From: "Sarah Calhoun" <sc-...@att.net>
To: "GDUI Chat" <ch...@guidedogusersinc.org>
CC:
Subject: [GDUI Chat] Veterans Administration (VA) Signage About Service Dogs
Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2019 12:20:24 -0500
FYI
From: Melanie Brunson <mbru...@bva.org <mailto:mbru...@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:
* 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
_______________________________________________
CVGSDH mailing list
<mailto:CVG...@accesscat.com> CVG...@accesscat.com
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shirl...@sbcglobal.net
Hello All,
If only this would become policy across the board… I think it is compliant with the ADA. Perhaps places of public accommodation would see their own right and responsibility to require even service dogs out of control to be taken off site.
I once tried to get assistance from those in charge at L. A.’s Union Station because a large dog was loose and trying to get my guide to interact which kept us from moving. I was told the lady said it was her service dog so their hands were tied.
Hats Off to the VA!
Warm Regards,
Shirley Manning
From: Sarah Calhoun <sc-...@att.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2019 10:20 AM
To: GDUI Chat <ch...@guidedogusersinc.org>
Subject: [GDUI Chat] Veterans Administration (VA) Signage About Service Dogs
FYI
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Heidi Vandewinckel
I think it is really good, as we have had some real issues with a school near us for service dogs which is not accredited. Their philosophy is that the handlers will train the dogs and come to classes. There is no consistency
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Margie Donovan
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/guidedogusersinc.org/d/msgid/chat/BC80F9D5-5625-4EA0-B1B8-CD02C7CE5FD4%40gmail.com.
Heidi Vandewinckel
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/guidedogusersinc.org/d/msgid/chat/MWHPR06MB33274F5A2FD57694797CD50AA5A70%40MWHPR06MB3327.namprd06.prod.outlook.com.
Margie Donovan
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