A service dog is a dog trained to do specific tasks for a person that he or she cannot do because of a disability. Service dogs can pick things up, guide a person with vision problems, or help someone who falls or loses balance easily. Because the handler depends on the service dog's help, service dogs are allowed to go to most public places the handler goes. Veterans with working service dogs are often provided veterinary care and equipment by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA does not pay for boarding, grooming, food, or any other routine expense associated with owning a dog. Each Veteran's case is first reviewed and evaluated by a prescribing clinician. For more information, visit the VA Guide and Service Dogs webpage and read the VA VAntage Point Blog.
VA and Service Dogs
