A VA hospital barred a veteran’s service dog. After the vet’s suicide, it changed its policy

Thank you my friend MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. for making us aware that after an unidentified veteran committed suicide after the veteran missed appointments due to the veteran’s service dog being denied entry to the VA hospital at Palo Alto, California.
"the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General issued recommendations to two VA facilities to improve care for mental health patients. One of those recommendations was to nix prohibitive service dog policies. Previously, the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System required service dogs to complete a health screening, be trained in three assistance tasks, and wear identification. But VHA’s policy does not permit facility staff to require health screenings or identification, according to the VAOIG’s report."
A final recommendation pushed the Palo Alto facility to update its service dog policy to match the VHA’s, which the facility concurred with and provided a completion date of May 2021."

Service Dogs for Mental Health | AskDP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKyw29ku3oE

FYI Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. LTC (Join to see) SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SSG Franklin BriantSPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D TSgt David L. SGT James Murphy 1SG Steven ImermanSPC Michael Terrell SPC Michael Oles SRSgt (Join to see) PO3 Phyllis Maynard SSG Samuel Kermon MGySgt (Join to see)1LT Voyle SmithGySgt Jack Wallace PFC Donnie Harold Harris SSG Michael Grant SPC Margaret Higgins


Proposed overhaul for Department of Veterans Affairs

Day late and a dollar short, like most decisions it seem brother Dale.

This is an atrocious act by Some VA staff, resulting in a Veteran taking his own life!!! It is not right!!!