Blaney Tables Bill To Help Veterans Obtain Service Dogs

North Island - Powell River MP Rachel Blaney has tabled a private members bill that would make sure all veterans who need a service animal can get one.

The Bill would lift barriers such as high costs and uncertainty regarding animal training and make national standards mandatory.

“After serving our country, many brave veterans come back with trauma, PTSD and physical disabilities. Service animals help our veterans heal and adapt to life post-service,” said Blaney.

“But for many veterans, there are a lot of barriers. Some providers will charge tens of thousands of dollars for a service animal without ensuring the animal has the proper training. We need to make sure this isn’t happening; our veterans deserve that at the least.”

Blaney’s bill would create a framework to enhance the provision of animal-assisted services to veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and national standards to define what training a veteran’s service animal has, while forcing the government to provide animal-assisted service to veterans.

“For generations, the Liberals and the Conservatives have put veterans on the back burner,” added Blaney.

“The Liberals over-charge veterans for long-term care and leave women veterans out of the conversation, while Conservatives cut pensions and closed nine veteran affairs centres. It’s time we do better by our veterans, so I’m calling on the government to support New Democrats in making sure all veterans can get a service animal if they need one.”

To learn more, visit BC NDP.