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Service Animals - Veterans Administration Information & NEADS Dogs Program

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Description

Use the information provided on this page to organize and hold a professional development presentation about service animals to give your library personnel a better understanding of the role of service dogs, as well as service dog resources from the VA. This hour long workshop was held at our VA Library in collaboration with an occupational therapist and the veterans client services representative from NEADS World Class Service Dogs.

You will want to contact an occupational therapist from the VA Hospital or otherwise to ask them to speak to your library employees.  Our VA hospital had an OTR/L who prepared a short presentation with the topic, "Mobility Dogs! What is the role of Occupational Therapy?"   

The representative from NEADS presented slides about their organization for the second half of the presentation (on NEADS).

You will need to plan out the itinerary for the workshop to include your welcome and introduction of the speakers, then time for presentations, followed by questions or discussion (or in between presenters). 

This can be held in person or online. There are also two hand outs linked under "Files," that you can put on an information table at our VA hospital. You can also share a digital copy if your program is held online.

The objectives of the training program are that attendees will learn the following:

  1. The NEADS program in training service dogs;
    • what a service dog does in comparison to what other therapy dogs do, 
    • ADA Guidelines, 
    • how service dogs are trained, 
    • application & matching with a client, 
    • training of the client, and,
    • follow up after a dog has been placed with a client.
  2. The Veteran Administration's role with service dogs and how Occupational Therapy facilitates the process, as well as services and evaluation factors for whether a veteran would benefit in having a service dog.

This page includes:

  • Policies to review on VA rules/regulations for service animals.
  • Links to useful information.

Audience

Primarily librarians or staff so that when a veteran makes a request for information on service animals with the Veterans Administration, they will be better able to help.

Cost

No cost, except for printing/copying any of the materials provided below under "Files-Handouts" for workshop attendees to reference.

Timing 

This professional development program can be held any time of the year library staff are present to attend.

Suggested Duration

Duration would be between 1-2 hours (if necessary).

Resources needed 

For library staff in person training, a meeting room with computer and projector. Or if workshop is held online, access to Zoom or other online presentation format such as Microsoft Teams.

You may also choose to print copies of the "FAQ Mission Act Service Animals on VA Property" and "Animals on Providence VA Medical Center Property" for your workshop attendees. Both would be referenced for information as to what animals are allowed with owner responsibilities, and also as samples that can be used in developing a policy on service animals for your library facility. 

Tips for Success

Early in your planning process, contact your local VA Medical Center for specifics on how their service dog program is handled and for a list of potential speakers, and reach out to service dog providers to identify your other presenter (we connected with NEADs).

Consider doing a pre-assessment of your personnel about their knowledge of the topic, and ask what they are most interested in learning. This may help your presenters design their instruction.

Send follow up thank you notes.

Assessment Ideas

Review with staff the key points to see if they understand the program and information provided.

Partners and Stakeholders

Local VA Medical Center staff and service dog providers such as NEADS.

Additional Resources/Bibliography

Submitted by 

Cheryl Banick,  Library Service VA Providence Healthcare System, Providence, RI

Public Domain

This is a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Foreign copyrights may apply.