AMVETS Moves Forward on VETS Dogs Act

Last week VA Chief of Staff John Gingrich sent a letter to AMVETS outlining VA's plans to enact a new directive that would allow veterans utilizing service dogs as prosthetic devices access to VHA facilities.

The target date for all VHA directors to implement new policies is June 30, 2011.

Under the directive--which expires in March 2016--VA facilities must create new policies allowing veterans who utilize VA-sanctioned service dogs for physical disabilities the same access afforded to seeing-eye and guide dogs.

In the past veterans like AMVETS members Kevin Stone and Sue Downes have been denied access to VA facilities while accompanied by their service dogs Mambo and Leila. Meanwhile, both Stone and Downes receive VA compensation for the proper upkeep of their service dogs, which assist with mobility and independence for both veterans, who sustained serious injuries in the line of duty.

In response to the letter, AMVETS Acting Legislative Director Christina Roof sent a reply to Gingrich, applauding VA's efforts, but clarifying that AMVETS must continue to pursue a permanent legislative solution to the access issue through the Veterans Equal Treatment of Service Dogs Act, or VETS Dogs Act, which was introduced in the House by Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, during the recent LZ:DC, and subsequently introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.

"AMVETS sincerely appreciates your personal attention to the issue of access to VA facilities for disabled veterans utilizing service dogs as prosthetic devices," said Roof in her letter to Gingrich. "However, AMVETS still maintains that the new VA directive is only a temporary solution to ensuring disabled veterans access VA facilities."

In the letter, Roof clarified that the legislative solution was not an attack on VA or on Gingrich, who gave personal attention to the veterans' service dog issue last summer during AMVETS National Convention, but rather a prudent course of action to ensure that VA policy toward service dogs does not change in the future.

The House and Senate committees on Veterans Affairs intend to address the VETS Dogs Act in the coming months, and Roof said she invites VA's insight on the potential regulation change, when that time comes.

American Veteran will continue to follow the VETS Dogs Act closely. Check back regularly for updates.

To learn more about the VETS Dogs Act, Click Here.

To see video of the press conference announcing the VETS Dogs Act, Click Here.

(Images: Top: Letter from VA Chief of Staff John Gingrich to AMVETS addressing health care access for veterans utilizing service dogs. Bottom: AMVETS' response to the Gingrich letter.)

VA Chief of Staff Joins AMVETS for National Convention

This afternoon VA Chief of Staff John Gingrich spoke to the Joint Opening Ceremony at the 66th annual AMVETS National Convention in Louisville, thanking AMVETS and the AMVETS family of organizations for their continued "assistance, advice and advocacy" on behalf of America's veterans.

"Millions of veterans have been cared for through your volunteerism," said Gingrich, highlighting AMVETS' 173,000 volunteer hours through the VA Voluntary Service Program in 2009. "We wouldn't succeed in our mission without you."

Gingrich also thanked AMVETS for their recent efforts on securing service dog benefits for disabled veterans and said that he and the Secretary look forward to hearing the results from AMVETS' 2010 Symposium for 21st Century Veterans. Gingrich also said that VA was prepared to start paying Agent Orange presumptive claims by October, should Congress approve--an announcement that was received with raucous applause.

He also took the time to highlight VA's recent efforts to transform the cultural mindset of VA, recent record increases in VA funding, and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki's top three goals to improve VA services: Increasing access to care and benefits, eliminating the claims backlog by 2015, and ending homelessness in five years.

During the ceremony AMVETS delegates also heard from the Minister of Republic of China (Taiwan) Veterans Affairs Commission, Gen. Tseng Jing-Ling. AMVETS has long partnered with Taiwan to share ideas and resources on how to best serve our fellow veterans.

AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin and AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary National President Patty Piening also addressed the members of the AMVETS family who came to Louisville to tend to the annual business of AMVETS.

American Veteran Online will continue to follow this year's convention, bringing you regular highlights and updates from the business sessions, including AMVETS' resolutions, which will help to guide AMVETS' legislative agenda for 2011 due on Veterans Day. Check back regularly and, as always, let us know what you think.

(Photo: VA Chief of Staff John Gingrich addresses the AMVETS National Convention while Taiwanese Gen. Tseng Ling, AMVETS National Commander Duane Miskulin, and AMVETS National Executive Director Jim King look on. Photo by Jay Agg.)