Noteboom The Law Firm

State VA Home: No Dogs Allowed

May 25, 2010 - It has been proven time and again that the presence of dogs is therapeutic. Studies have shown that just having dogs around can put people in a better mood, ease stress, and even lower blood pressure.

Dog visitations had been a regular occurrence inside the Union Grove Veterans Home in Dover, Wisconsin. Those times have come to an end, however, as state officials have banned all dogs from visiting the veterans who live there. Up until April, volunteers and staff members brought their dogs with them to visit the veterans daily. For many veterans, the visits were very positive and therapeutic.

According to spokespeople at the state Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), state laws prevent the presence of the dogs inside state-run veterans' homes and when the VA learned of the policy, had to enforce the Veterans Homes to comply. Because of the inquiry, VA officials are working to create a policy which will likely require any dogs on the premises be certified as therapy pets.

State-run VA homes are subject to state laws as opposed to private nursing homes who can allow pets as visitors. For the VA, the issue of allowing animals is a quality of life issue because the home is a living environment. The VA has state laws to follow and unfortunately it is affecting the quality of life for those veterans living in the home.