I am a Medically Retired Air Force veteran diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. In November of 2022, I received my PTSD service dog and applied for the Service Dog Veterinary Health Insurance Benefit (VHIB). After waiting over a year, I was informed by the Veterans Administration (VA) that my application was denied because this is not an offered service. The prosthetics office, which currently handles these matters, has little knowledge of this benefit. This experience underscores the need to establish an office dedicated to assisting veterans in applying for and receiving approval for VHIB.

There are approximately 20 million veterans in the United States today, many of whom could potentially benefit from having a service dog (U.S. Census Bureau). However, without proper support from VA offices to navigate benefits like VHIB, these essential aids remain inaccessible to many who need them.

We propose creating a newly funded office internal to the VA focused on assisting veterans in applying for VHIB and approving their applications. This dedicated department would have specific knowledge about this benefit and could provide much-needed support to our nation's heroes seeking assistance through service dogs. We also propose adding all mental health conditions as recognised disability’s that service dogs can be approved for VHIB coverage. 

Please sign our petition urging the Veterans Administration to establish an office dedicated solely towards managing applications and approvals for Service Dog Veterinary Health Insurance Benefits.