Animal Welfare Professionals

I am from an organization called Paws of War. We rescue animals from overseas and domestically.  We train them to be service and animal companions for veterans with PSTD and TBI's. 26% of veterans that need or want a service animal are able to get access to a service animal. 

What do you think are some obstacles for our hero's getting service animals? 

My husband is a veteran seeking to get a service dog for PTSD. He has had nothing but brick walls in this process. The VA will not advocate for him to get one. His mental health counselor at the VA said she cannot put anything in writing saying he needs one. "That's not what they do". His VA doctor said he'd fill out paperwork only if the mental health counselor provides documentation, which she won't. Both said, "talk to a VA social worker". Social worker said, "Sorry. We don't (won't) do that." Now we have to seek private psychiatric (out-of-pocket) counseling just to get a note advocating for him to get a dog which puts him right back at the very beginning. He's at the end of his rope and frankly so am I. It has been nothing but a headache and NO's at every turn. How are any veterans getting a dog?? 

I am from an organization called Paws of War. We rescue animals from overseas and domestically.  We train them to be service and animal companions for veterans with PSTD and TBI's. 26% of veterans that need or want a service animal are able to get access to a service animal. 

What do you think are some obstacles for our hero's getting service animals? 

I'm going to assume this is for a mental health need. If this was for a physical need, the mental health counselor recommendation wouldn't be needed. Please use the link below, maybe this will help a little more. 

Service Dog Veterinary Health Benefit - Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services

My husband is a veteran seeking to get a service dog for PTSD. He has had nothing but brick walls in this process. The VA will not advocate for him to get one. His mental health counselor at the VA said she cannot put anything in writing saying he needs one. "That's not what they do". His VA doctor said he'd fill out paperwork only if the mental health counselor provides documentation, which she won't. Both said, "talk to a VA social worker". Social worker said, "Sorry. We don't (won't) do that." Now we have to seek private psychiatric (out-of-pocket) counseling just to get a note advocating for him to get a dog which puts him right back at the very beginning. He's at the end of his rope and frankly so am I. It has been nothing but a headache and NO's at every turn. How are any veterans getting a dog?? 

I am from an organization called Paws of War. We rescue animals from overseas and domestically.  We train them to be service and animal companions for veterans with PSTD and TBI's. 26% of veterans that need or want a service animal are able to get access to a service animal. 

What do you think are some obstacles for our hero's getting service animals?