At a recent Be Connected Community Network meeting, a panel of leaders discussed the vital role emotional support animals play in the lives of veterans. From providing companionship to easing the challenges of PTSD, emotional support animals are a crucial part of many veterans’ daily lives. The discussion also highlighted the nuanced differences between emotional support animals (ESAs) and service animals and the importance of expanding veterans’ access to these companions.

The Bond with Emotional Support Animals
John Scott, Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, emphasized the profound bond veterans can have with their emotional support animals. A veteran himself, Scott grew up around animals and understands how significant their role can be. Reflecting on his experience working in homeless services, Scott shared how he saw firsthand the bond that a human being can have with an emotional support animal. “to the extent that they are unwilling to take housing and would prefer to remain homeless because they can’t take their emotional support animal with them into a transitional housing program. If that doesn’t tell you how important it is – I don’t know what would,” said Scott.

Emotional Support Animals and Healthcare Settings
Steve Sample, Director of the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System, addressed the challenges of accommodating ESAs in healthcare settings. “Emotional support animals aren’t service animals, and that’s where we sometimes face challenges,” Sample said. As a Federal executive agency, VA is not subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); however, VA regulation and VHA policy generally model the same criteria that are in the regulations that implement the ADA in terms of service animal access, according to VHA Directive 1188(1). These ADA regulations do not permit emotional support animals or comfort animals to access public property.

Blake Chaffee, PhD, Vice President of Integrated Health at TriWest, agrees. He shared that in the community he sees that “veterans often delay or even refuse care until their animal is accommodated.”

A Battle Buddy Beyond Service
Amanda French, Assistant Director of the Phoenix Regional Benefits Office, highlighted the importance of recognizing the needs of our veterans and improving access to trained support animals for transitioning service members. “When you are in the service you have a battle buddy. There’s always someone with you wherever you go,” said Fench. When service members make that transition into civilian life, having that battle buddy that they can relate to is important to the transition and mental health. French pointed out that providing access to trained animals could better support veterans as they reintegrate into everyday life.

The Difference Between Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals
Jenny Wasielewski, Assistant Director at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, emphasized the importance of understanding the distinction between emotional support animals and service dogs. “It’s great for people to have the support of an animal,” Wasielewski shared. However, there are important distinctions between emotional support animals and service animals that people need to be aware of because these distinctions formulate the policies that many healthcare and government systems use.

She, along with the panel, underscored that while both ESAs and service animals provide essential support, they serve different functions:

• Service Animals undergo specialized training for up to two years to perform specific tasks that assist with a handler’s disability which grants them public access rights. These animals behave in a consistent, task-oriented way and display non-disruptive and non-aggressive behavior.
• Emotional Support Animals focus on providing comfort and companionship without the rigorous, specialized training service animals undergo. The animal’s focus is on the emotional well-being of their owner rather than task performance. The animal may display consistent behavior in a home setting but behave unpredictably in unfamiliar or challenging situations with other people, children, or animals present.

People Feel Strongly About Animals
Leanna Taylor, CEO of The Arizona Pet Project added that animals are integral to Arizona households, with 70% of families owning pets. She raised the point that more households have pets than children and that 88% of people consider pets family members. Given this strong bond, it’s clear that people would rather risk their own well-being than part with their beloved pets.

Partnering to Keep Pets and Families Together
Be Connected partners with The Arizona Pet Project in supporting veterans and families with pets by providing resources to keep pets with those who love and need them most. Through services like temporary boarding, accessible veterinary care, and assistance with pet deposits for housing, The Arizona Pet Project helps prevent the surrender of beloved pets during times of crisis. These services address a critical need in the veteran community, as emotional support animals often serve as an essential source of stability and companionship, especially during challenging transitions​.

This commitment to keeping pets and families together highlights the invaluable support system that emotional support animals provide, reinforcing the importance of accessible resources for those in need.

Support for Service Members, Veterans, Their Families, and Animals
If you or a service member or veteran that you know needs support with an animal or any other need, such as a ride, to access health care or wellness services – Be Connected is here to help. Call 866-4AZ-VETS (866-429-8387). We understand the importance of animals in the lives of veterans and are committed to providing solutions that ensure veterans can access the care they need without having to compromise their connection to their beloved companions.