LZ:DC: AMVETS Introduces VETS Dogs Act

Yesterday afternoon, AMVETS joined Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, and Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., for a press conference to announce the Veterans for Equal Treatment of Service Dogs Act, or VETS Dogs Act, which Carter introduced in the House of Representatives on Thursday morning.

Here is AMVETS' video of yesterday's announcement, which took place as part of AMVETS LZ:DC:



During the press conference, Carter said that in only two short days since issuing a "Dear Colleague" letter, seeking support for the bill, he had already signed on more than 30 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle--and he was yet to approach the Texas Congressional delegation, or the many caucuses to which he belongs.

"This is a bill whose passage I believe will draw very little debate," Carter said. "This is a rare opportunity to do a great thing for our disabled veterans that adds nothing to the federal deficit, simply by eliminating unneeded and unjustified regulations.

When Congress adjourned from its afternoon votes, random members--some of whom had already signed on to support Carter's bill--consistently stopped by the press conference on the House Triangle to thank veterans Kevin Stone and Sue Downes, who were on hand with their service dogs, Mambo and Lila, to discuss what the legislation will mean for veterans.

VetsFirst, a program from the United Spinal Association, and Paws With A Cause joined AMVETS to applaud Carter and Congressional cosponsors for submitting the bill, which would close a loophole in VA policy that has caused some veterans who utilize service dogs as prostheses to be denied care at certain VA health care facilities.

Stars & Stripes was on hand to cover the announcement. To read the Stripes' coverage, Click Here.

To read Military Times coverage of the bill, Click Here.

To read AMVETS' official statement on the bill roll-out, Click Here, and check back regularly with American Veteran for updates from the LZ.

(Images: Top: Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, discusses the VETS Dogs Act during a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol Building while cosponsor Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and AMVETS Sue Downes and Kevin Stone look on. Middle, Left: Kevin Stone pets his service dog, Mambo, while explaining his experiences and why the VETS Dog Act is important to him. Middle, Right: Sue Downes explains why the bill is important to veterans, with her service dog, Lila, by her side. Bottom: Rep. Michele Bachmann shakes hands with Stone and Downes, thanking them for their service and their advocacy for veterans. Photos by Luis Jimenez.)

AMVETS Joins VHA in Arizona for Conference on Service Dogs

AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof and AMVETS partners Paws With A Cause are in Phoenix this week to participate in the Veterans Health Administration’s Prosthetic and Sensory Aid Services Guide Dog and Service Dog Clinicians Training Conference.

The weeklong seminar brings together industry experts within the VA system, veteran service organizations, representatives from the assistance dog industry, and veterans who utilize service dogs to learn about the many benefits of service dogs in the lives of veterans living with disabilities.

VHA's Office of Prosthetic and Sensory Aid Services, or PSAS, put together the conference to inform clinicians about guide dogs and service dogs for veterans, establishing the expertise VA needs to draft clinical practice recommendations for PSAS guide and service dog benefits.

“The overall goal of rehabilitation is to increase or maintain veterans at the highest level of functioning possible. The provision of individualized care leads us to explore and apply, as appropriate, all options to maintain independence as long as possible,” said Stanlie Daniels, deputy chief for the VHA Office of Patient Care services. “Our collaboration with guide and service dog organizations is a key component to assuring we are aware of all options to assist our nation’s veterans.”

For the last two years, AMVETS has aggressively advocated for equal access to care and benefits for veterans utilizing service dogs, working closely with PSAS officials on how to best implement proper policy changes.

Alongside 22-year partner Paws With A Cause, AMVETS views this conference as a critical step in ensuring clinicians understand the benefits of assistance dogs in an effort to ensure proper and equitable access for all veterans utilizing the unique prosthetics.

(Image: AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof and Deputy Chief of VHA Office of Patient Care Services Stanlie Daniels at the PSAS Guide Dog and Service Dog Conference in Phoenix. Photo courtesy of VHA. Story with contributions from Deb Davis.)

Gen. Purser Discusses Transition; Paws With A Cause Thanks AMVETS

This morning, Deputy Chief of the U.S. Army Reserve, Brig. Gen. Leslie Purser spoke at the AMVETS National Convention at the Galt House in Louisville. In her current role, Purser's responsibilities include developing the transition strategy for today's Reserve soldiers--who have been utilized at an operational tempo not seen since World War II.

Purser discussed new ways in which the Army is looking to meet the needs of soldiers in transition after combat deployments, such as partnering with civilian employers to ensure that Reserve soldiers can utilize their military job skills in viable civilian careers once they return home.

Purser also took a moment to discuss military readiness and daunting statistics on why so few Americans are unfit for military duty in the 21st century, ranging from obesity to mental health.

AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary partner Paws With A Cause also spoke on the convention floor, thanking AMVETS for its support to recent work on Capitol Hill, helping to secure benefits for disabled veterans who use service animals.

AMVETS member and Paralympic medalist Kevin Stone took a few moments to discuss the benefits of his service dogs Jonah and Mambo over the years as he recovered from a severe spinal chord injury he suffered in the 1980s while serving in the Army. Stone credits his remarkable recovery and his subsequent success as a U.S. Olympian to the life-altering assistance of service dogs.

To read more about Stone and the recent work of AMVETS on the service dog issue, check out the summer issue of American Veteran magazine by Clicking Here.

AMVETS also gathered to vote on the organization's resolutions, many of which will help to guide AMVETS' legislative work on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., such as the VA claims backlog, concurrent receipt issues, and flag protection. Based on this year's symposium and legislative resolutions, AMVETS will compile a comprehensive legislative agenda for 2011 to be published in time for Veterans Day.

(Photos: Top: Brig. Gen. Leslie Purser discusses Reserve transition strategies. Middle: Kevin Stone tells AMVETS how service dogs helped him regain his independence, Bottom: AMVETS National Judge Advocate Daniel Snyder discusses proposed amendments to AMVETS resolutions while First Vice Commander Jerry Hotop and National Legislative Director Ray Kelley look on. Photos by Ryan Gallucci.)

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran we will discuss partner Paws With A Cause, which recently placed another assistance dog with a deserving disabled veteran. We will also discuss the ongoing search for two missing service members in Afghanistan--one of whom the Taliban has claimed to have killed in an ambush late last week.

Though the two missing service members have not been identified yet, AMVETS leaders have consistently called on the departments of Defense and State to exercise all options in ensuring that all our missing/captured service members are returned safely--including Army Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl and Army Sgt. Ahmed Altaie, who each remain POW/MIA.

This week, AMVETS will also be on hand for VA Forum on Women Veterans, taking place at the Women's Memorial outside of Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday. AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof will participate in the day's discussions, addressing one of AMVETS' top legislative priorities for 2010.

This week, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs will host three critical hearings this week, which AMVETS will be watching closely. On Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations will host a hearing on Gulf War illness. On Wednesday, the full committee will discuss ongoing oversight and inadequate cost control measures within VA. On Thursday, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity will discuss licensure and credentialing.

As these hearings draw closer, we will bring you links to live video on this blog along with details from each discussion.

This week, we will also be bringing you highlights from the summer issue of American Veteran magazine, which should be arriving in your mailboxes shortly.

As always, we're eager to hear from you to let us know how we're doing, so please leave your comments on the posts. Also please feel free to share your stories with us to highlight on the blog and within the pages of American Veteran magazine.

AMVETS Sends Congressional Letter to VA on Service Dogs

Since AMVETS members and their assistance dogs stormed Capitol Hill in March to raise awareness of the benefits to today's wounded veterans, AMVETS Deputy National Legislative Director Christina Roof has been working with Congressional offices, bolstering support for a letter to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki.

AMVETS' letter calls for an update from VA on progress of the assistance dog benefits study commissioned in the 2010 Defense Authorization--a measure successfully spearheaded by Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.).

In the weeks leading up to sending the letter to Secretary Shinseki, AMVETS secured 14 signatures from a bipartisan group of legislators, including leading Congressional voices on veterans' issues, Rep. John Hall (D-N.Y.), who spearheaded efforts to expand availability of PTSD treatment, and Rep. John Carter (R-Texas), who led efforts in the House to pass the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act.





The letter, which can be viewed by clicking on the images above, calls on VA to furnish Congress with a report on progress in commissioning a three-year study on the benefits of assistance dogs for today's wounded veterans.

Under the 2010 Defense Authorization, VA had 270 days to commence the study, leaving VA with a July 2010 deadline.

AMVETS leaders will continue to work with VA for an update on the assistance dog study, tracking the issue closely. AMVETS has recognized the benefits assistance animals can offer wounded veterans since partnering with non-profit Paws With A Cause to place assistance dogs with worthy wounded veterans. Today, AMVETS is the only major veterans' service organization actively addressing the issue.

As VA's study moves forward, check back regularly with American Veteran Online for updates.

(Images: Congressional letter to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki calling for an update to the assistance dog study for wounded veterans.)

AMVETS Meets With Sen. Franken to Discuss Vets' Assistance Dogs

Yesterday, AMVETS Deputy National Legislative Director Christina Roof and AMVETS member Luis Montalvan joined Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) on Capitol Hill to discuss assistance dogs for wounded veterans.

Accompanied by Montalvan's assistance dog, Tuesday, AMVETS met with Franken and his staff to discuss the current VA study on the benefits of assistance dogs and recent policy changes, allowing veterans to enroll their assistance dogs with VA to cover associated costs, as outlined in Title 38.

Since AMVETS and partner non-profit Paws With A Cause came to Capitol Hill last month with Montalvan, Tuesday, and fellow AMVET Kevin Stone and his assistance dog, Mambo, AMVETS has been inundated with calls and e-mails about the status of VA's study and VA's policies on assistance dog enrollment. VA's Prosthetics and Sensory Aides department and Office of the Inspector General also took notice, reaching out to AMVETS on the issue.

Earlier in the week, Montalvan received confirmation from VA that Tuesday would now be enrolled with the VA's assistance dog program, entitling Montalvan to reimbursement for requisite veterinary care. Montalvan also received clarification on how VA plans to implement the assistance dog provisions in Title 38, offering veterinary benefits for more than 200 veterans who currently rely on assistance dogs to perform day-to-day tasks.

Earlier in the day, Roof also met with staff for Rep. John Hall (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House VA Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, who have started to circulate a letter to Congressional colleagues, asking for support to further veterans' assistance dog programs.

This afternoon, Roof will be on Capitol Hill, rallying support for the letter.

During yesterday's meetings, Franken was called to the Capitol for a series of votes and asked AMVETS to accompany him. Between votes, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) came over and took the time to greet Roof, Montalvan, and Tuesday. During last month's meetings, AMVETS and Paws sat down with McCain's staff to explain the assistance dog issue.

AMVETS will look to build on the momentum of yesterday's meetings, asking VA to publish its policies on assistance dog enrollment authorized under Title 38 and bolstering support in Congress for veterans' assistance dog programs.

Last month's meetings were designed as a way to refocus attention on the issue, which Franken brought to light during his first days in office. For more on this issue as it develops, check back regularly with American Veteran Online.

(Photos: Top: Luis Montalvan and Christina Roof discuss veterans' assistance dogs with Sen. Al Franken outside the floor of the Senate yesterday afternoon. Bottom: Sen. John McCain takes a moment for a photo alongside Montalvan and Roof between votes yesterday. Photos by Ryan Gallucci.)

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran we will follow AMVETS National Commander Duane Miskulin to Albert Lea, Minn., where Miskulin will present the 2010 AMVETS Congressional Silver Helmet award to Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) in his home district.

The presentation will take place at 10 a.m. at AMVETS Post No. 47, co-located at the Albert Lea American Legion Post No. 56.

This week, AMVETS Deputy National Legislative Director Christina Roof will participate in a series of meetings with Congressional staffers during the members' district work period, following up on the recent Capitol Hill visits alongside Paws With A Cause, educating on the benefits of assistance dogs for wounded veterans.

Roof will also participate in this week's meeting at the Department of Labor, where veterans' leaders will join Administration leaders to discuss progress on the federal Veterans' Employment Initiative.

As part of our Women in Service series for Women's History Month, we will highlight the Marine Corps Lioness Brigades--female units in Iraq who serve alongside male combat units.

As always, we're eager to hear from our readers, so please post your comments, and if you have anything you would like to share for our "Keeping Posted" feature on the blog and in the magazine, please let us know.

AMVETS, Paws With A Cause Take the Hill (Part 2)

Yesterday, AMVETS and Paws With A Cause took to Capitol Hill for the second day of education and advocacy meetings with legislators discussing assistance dogs for wounded veterans.

Veterans Kevin Stone and Luis Montalvan, accompanied by AMVETS' Christina Roof and Paws With A Cause's Deb Davis, met with key veterans' advocates Reps. Ron Klein (D-Fla.), John Hall (D-N.Y.) , and John Carter (R-Texas). The group also had in-depth meetings with chief council for the minority staff on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and the offices of Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.).

Much like day one, the group sought to explain the benefits of service dogs for wounded veterans in an effort to inspire Congress to pressure VA on clarifying programs already available and to continue moving on pending legislation. Two of the current bills before Congress were introduced by Klein and Hall, each of whom had deep personal knowledge of the issue and expressed a willingness to continue working toward viable federal programs.

Carter, a staunch veterans' advocate who helped to draft critical veterans' caregiver legislation, was eager to learn about assistance dogs and their potential benefits.

During the morning's meetings with Senate staff members, AMVETS and Paws With A Cause were able to explain the potential economic benefits of assistance dogs by demonstrating that increased independence for wounded veterans means fewer veterans remaining on Social Security Disability Insurance, with the ability to contribute to the American workforce.

AMVETS and Paws With A Cause walked away from Capitol Hill confident that they caught the attention of key legislators, but they also left with a renewed mission purpose.

"We have to keep the momentum," said Davis after the meetings. "I didn't know there would be so much support, but we need to bring back numbers and demonstrate the actual value."

Roof said AMVETS has legislative proposals that she plans to present to each member Paws With A Cause and AMVETS met with on Tuesday and Wednesday.

American Veteran will continue to follow this story, as AMVETS and Paws With A Cause push for responsible federal programs offering assistance dogs to wounded veterans.

(Photos: Top: Kevin Stone explains to Rep. Ron Klein how his assistance dog, Mambo, allowed him to successfully compete on the U.S. Paralympic team, winning bronze in Athens and setting American records in Beijing. Middle: Rep. John Hall gets acquainted with Mambo, as Stone and Luis Montalvan explain the benefits of their assistance dogs. Bottom: Montalvan explains to Rep. John Carter how his assistance dog, Tuesday, allowed him to refocus on his graduate studies at Columbia University. Photos by Ryan Gallucci.)

AMVETS, Paws With A Cause Take to Capitol Hill

This morning, AMVETS and partner non-profit Paws With A Cause took to Capitol Hill, advocating for assistance dogs for wounded veterans.

AMVETS Luis Montalvan, an Iraq veteran who now attends graduate school at Columbia University, and Kevin Stone, an Army Ranger who is now a medal-winning U.S. Paralympian, brought their service dogs, Tuesday and Mambo, around the halls of the U.S. Capitol and the Congressional office buildings for the first of a two-day education and advocacy blitz.

Montalvan and Stone credit their assistance dogs with helping them to not only lead normal lives, but to excel in areas where they otherwise may have not. Both veterans credit their dogs with providing critical day-to-day task support and emotional support, allowing each of them to focus on living their lives to the fullest.

In today's meetings, Stone coined the phrase "Motivational Prosthetics of Freedom," when discussing assistance dogs. Like any other prosthetic limb or device, Stone says assistance dogs fill the gap left by whatever disability a veteran may be experiencing, such as the tasks Stone was limited to accomplishing while confined to a wheelchair.

AMVETS Deputy National Legislative Director Christina Roof and Paws With A Cause National Marketing Manager Deb Davis joined the veterans, helping to explain shortfalls in current policy toward assistance dogs and pushing to close loopholes and improve access for veterans who could benefit from new programs.

The major points driving AMVETS' and Paws With A Cause's work over the next couple of days are:

- Statues and policies must be clear to veterans and implemented throughout the VA system with a clear point of contact. The current language found in Title 38 of the U.S. Code is too vague, failing to identify what VA's actual responsibilities should be.

-When drafting responsible assistance dog placement and training legislation for veterans, a standard must be established based on proven assistance dog industry standards and practices exemplified by Assistance Dogs International, or ADI, and the International Guide Dog Federation, or IGDF. The bills currently before Congress are too vague and misuse certain industry terms interchangeably, such as guide dog, service dog, therapy dog, and assistance dog, making policy nearly impossible to properly implement.

-Decisive action must be taken in the short term, since thousands of veterans could potentially benefit from any new program, and AMVETS and Paws With A Cause are happy to work with legislators to make this happen. Though VA may have concerns over cost, the return on investment from veterans who take advantage of assistance dogs would have far-reaching effects as veterans re-enter the work force and live up to their full potential.

Today, AMVETS and Paws With A Cause met with Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), House Veteran Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-Calif.), staff from the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and key staff from the House VA Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

CNN also followed AMVETS and Paws With A Cause later in the day, taking the time to speak with Hagan on the issue for a potential story on Montalvan, Stone and veterans' assistance dogs. American Veteran Online will keep you posted on details.

Tomorrow, AMVETS and Paws With A Cause will meet with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz), Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.), the architects of pending legislation, Rep. Ron Klein (D-Fla.) and Rep. John Hall (D-N.Y.), Rep. John Carter (R-Texas), and key council for other relevant committees.

Check back tomorrow with American Veteran for more updates.

(Photos: Top: Kevin Stone speaks with Sen. Kay Hagan, while a CNN photojournalist composes his shot. Bottom: Luis Montalvan rewards Tuesday for his good behavior on Speaker Pelosi's balcony on the U.S. Capitol. Photos by Ryan Gallucci.)

This Week at American Veteran

This week is one of the most significant weeks of the year for AMVETS, its subordinate organizations, and its partners. Leading up to Thursday's testimony of AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin before a special session of the House and Senate committees on Veterans Affairs, AMVETS and its partners will take to Capitol Hill, pushing for improved care and services for veterans and their loved ones. American Veteran will be on hand for all of this week's events, providing photos and coverage on this blog.

Starting tomorrow, AMVETS and partner non-profit Paws With A Cause will kick off a two-day push around the nation's capitol, promoting responsible assistance dog legislation for wounded veterans. Two AMVETS members, Luis Montalvan and Kevin Stone, will join leaders from AMVETS and Paws on a series of Capitol Hill visits with top legislators and staff, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.), and House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-Calif.). The group will also visit with staff at the White House to discuss how the Obama Administration could help advocate for the cause.

On Thursday, members of AMVETS, AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary, and Sons of AMVETS will join Cmdr. Miskulin for his special testimony at 9:30 a.m. in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. After the testimony, members of the AMVETS family will take to the halls of the House and Senate office buildings to meet with legislators to explain critical veterans' issues first-hand and to provide copies of the AMVETS 2010 Legislative Agenda.

Meanwhile, AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley will participate in the House Veterans Affairs Committee summit on the VA claims backlog--AMVETS' top legislative priority for 2010.

On Thursday night, AMVETS will also present Congressman Tim Walz (D-Minn.) with the AMVETS Congressional Silver Helmet Award in recognition of Walz's decades of service as a command sergeant major in the Minnesota Army National Guard and his continued service as a vocal veterans' advocate in Congress.

Finally, AMVETS will gather over the weekend in Herndon, Va., for the spring meeting of the AMVETS National Executive Committee, tending to the business of the organization, before honoring the final four recipients of the 2010 AMVETS Silver Helmet Awards during the 56th annual Silver Helmet Awards banquet at the Hilton Washington Dulles in Herndon.

Check back regularly with American Veteran for updates as this busy week unfolds.

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran, we will cover a series of hearings in the House Committee on Veterans Affairs ranging from the structure of the 21st century VA to progress on VA's Center for Veteran Enterprise.

We will also continue to follow VA's efforts to recoup Post-9/11 G.I. Bill emergency check payments from student-veterans. AMVETS has heard from numerous student-veterans who have received notice, but are yet to receive back pay for the fall. AMVETS is also concerned about the lines of communication with VA, whose repayment hotline has been busy for the last week. Check back for updates as this story develops.

Over the weekend, AMVETS leaders gathered in Stevens Point, Mich., to honor AMVETS National Commander Duane Miskulin for his testimonial dinner. The annual tradition takes place in the national commander's home town shortly before the commander is scheduled to testify before the special joint session of the House and Senate committees on Veterans Affairs.

Cmdr. Miskulin is scheduled to testify next Thursday, March 18, at 9:30 a.m. in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. This year, Miskulin's testimony will coincide with a series of events on Capitol Hill and around the region, as AMVETS, its subordinate organizations and its partners make their presence felt on Capitol Hill.

On Tuesday, March 16, AMVETS will join Paws With A Cause to push for responsible veterans' service dog legislation through a series of meetings with Congressional leaders and the Obama Administration. On Thursday, following Cmdr. Miskulin's testimony, AMVETS and Sons of AMVETS members will visit with dozens of legislators, as well, outlining AMVETS' legislative agenda for 2010, which was published on Veterans Day.

Thursday concludes when AMVETS honors Congressman Tim Walz (D-Minn.) with the 2010 Congressional Silver Helmet award.

On March 19, AMVETS leaders will gather at the Hilton Washington Dulles for the spring meeting of the National Executive Committee and the 56th annual Silver Helmet Awards banquet. American Veteran will be on hand covering the event on this blog.

This week, AMVETS leaders will also acknowledge Women in Military History Month, kicking off on American Veteran Online with more stories of heroism and valor among America's storied female service members.

American Veteran is also eager to highlight noteworthy female AMVETS members as part of our "Women in Service" series.

As always, we're eager to hear from you and eager to post any content from AMVETS posts and departments around the country.

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran, we will once again follow AMVETS' legislative team to Capitol Hill for a series of hearing on critical veterans' issues ranging from benefits-delivery, veterans' suicide, Gulf War illness, and pending veterans' legislation. Several of these hearings were rescheduled from the back-to-back blizzards that struck Washington prior to the district work period.

This week, we will also keep you posted on plans for upcoming Capitol Hill visits with AMVETS and Paws With A Cause to discuss responsible service dog legislation. The Paws hill visits will correspond with a barrage of AMVETS and Sons of AMVETS meetings with legislators on critical veterans' issues, as well as National Commander Duane Miskulin's testimony before the joint session of the House and Senate committees on Veterans Affairs and the presentation of the Congressional Silver Helmet Award to Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.). As details become available (and as AMVETS develops a clever name), American Veteran will keep you up to date.

Cmdr. Miskulin is visiting the AMVETS Department of Illinois this week, meeting with AMVETS and veterans' advocates across the state and participating in the State Executive Committee meeting on Sunday.

Last week, Miskulin and AMVETS National Service Foundation President Joe Piening were in Nevada for the Special Olympics national bowling championship--an event AMVETS has supported for more than 25 years. American Veteran will post photos and highlights in the coming days.

Next, the new issue of American Veteran is on its way. We will post highlights on this blog in the coming days.

As always, we're eager to how what you think, so please feel free to post in the comments section on this blog.