October 2024
Therapeutic animals have an extraordinary ability to connect with veterans, offering comfort and support that feels both natural and uplifting. For many veterans, adjusting to civilian life can present significant challenges, and having a loyal therapy animal—whether a dog or another companion—can make a huge difference. These animals are far more than pets; they provide steady companionship that helps veterans feel more grounded, creating a safe space to relax, find calm, and bring back a sense of purpose.
Building Healthy Habits Through Companionship
Simple activities like petting a dog or taking them for a walk can ease stress and promote healthy routines. Engaging with a therapy animal—whether walking around the neighborhood or playing in the yard—encourages movement and routine, benefiting both the body and mind. These small daily habits build overall well-being, making therapy animals a natural part of veterans’ daily lives.
A Story of Connection: Yvonne and Kodi
One of our team members, Yvonne Acosta, recently shared her personal story with SAMHSA about her special bond with her service dog, Kodi. Kodi, a rescue dog from Payson who had faced abuse, was carefully paired with Yvonne, a veteran. Together, they underwent a year of training, learning to work as a team and building a unique relationship. You can read more about Yvonne and Kodi’s journey in this interview.
Understanding the Difference: Therapeutic vs. Service Animals
Though therapeutic and service animals both offer vital support, they have distinct roles and rights:
- Service Animals are specially trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities, such as guiding the blind, alerting the deaf, or detecting seizures. Protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they have access to most public spaces, including restaurants, stores, and public transportation.
- Therapeutic (or Therapy) Animals provide emotional comfort and companionship, commonly in settings like hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. While they bring comfort and calm, they don’t typically have specialized training for disabilities and therefore don’t have the same public access rights as service animals.
VA Pilot Program for Service Dog Training
Currently, VA healthcare does not cover ongoing costs for service animals, including training, medications, food, or grooming. However, there is progress underway. The PAWS Act (Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy), signed into law on August 25, 2021, established a five-year pilot program through the VA to provide service dog training for veterans managing PTSD. This program aims to explore the benefits of service dog training, and if proven effective, it could lead to service dog training becoming part of comprehensive VA healthcare benefits in the near future.
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