Daines Listens to Veterans' Frustrations With VA Service Animal Policy

Press Release

Representative Steve Daines held a listening session in Kalispell today to hear firsthand from veterans who have been denied the ability to have their service animals by their side at VA Montana Health Care System (VAMTHCS) facilities.

Daines listened at Flathead Valley Community College as veterans shared their frustration with VAMTHCS policies that don't allow their service animals to stay with them at inpatient facilities.

The policies have caused their care to be delayed or denied and created unnecessary stress for both veterans and their service animals.

"Veterans from across Montana have contacted me to express frustration with being denied the ability to have their service animal by their side at VA facilities. I appreciate veterans who have encountered this problem coming out today to share their stories with me and discuss ways we can work together to address this issue," Daines said. "The last thing a VA policy should do is prevent those who have served our nation from using any available resource to reduce the impact of their injuries."

Service, guide and therapeutic animals play a significant role in improving the quality of life for many Montana veterans.

In a letter sent to the Montana VA Interim Director John Ginnity earlier this week, Daines requested that the VA "use its existing authority to permit veterans' service, guide, and therapeutic animals to stay overnight with patients admitted to any inpatient unit."

Daines has long called for reforms to improve accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs, improve the care and services it provides to veterans and ensure that the VA meets Montana veterans' needs efficiently and effectively.

Last week, Daines helped introduce the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act (H.R. 5059) to address veteran suicide and help struggling veterans get the care and help they need by improving their access to and quality of mental health care.

Daines also helped pass the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, which provides $7.5 billion for programs designed to address veterans' mental health needs and increases funding for suicide prevention outreach by $20 million.

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