Service Dogs & Assistive Technology

The VA supports veterans with physical, sensory, and mental health disabilities through service dog benefits and a wide range of assistive technology. Service dogs are individually trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a veteran's disability — such as guiding a veteran who is blind, alerting a veteran who is deaf, pulling a wheelchair, interrupting nightmares, or reminding a veteran to take medication.

An important distinction: the VA does not directly provide or supply service dogs. Instead, VA provides veterinary health care benefits for service dogs obtained through approved nonprofit organizations. The dog must come from a program accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF).

Service Dog vs. Emotional Support Animal

Under the ADA, a service dog is trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability. An emotional support animal (ESA) provides comfort through companionship alone and is not trained to perform disability-related tasks. VA's veterinary benefit covers service dogs only — not ESAs.

The ADA does not require certification, registration, or ID documents for service dogs. Online "registries" and "certifications" have no legal standing — the Department of Justice does not recognize them. Businesses may only ask two questions: (1) Is the dog required because of a disability? (2) What task has the dog been trained to perform?

Under 38 CFR 17.148, the VA provides veterinary health care benefits for three types of assistance dogs:

• Guide dogs — for veterans with visual impairments (blindness or low vision)
• Hearing dogs — for veterans with hearing impairments (deafness or significant hearing loss)
• Service dogs — for veterans with substantial mobility impairments (physical limitations or, since 2016, mental health conditions like PTSD that cause substantial mobility limitations)

What VA Covers

VA covers one service dog at a time per eligible veteran. Benefits include:

• Commercial veterinary insurance policy — VA pays premiums and copayments
• All medically necessary treatment and medications
• One sedated dental procedure per year
• Subsequent vaccinations
• Equipment repairs (harnesses, backpacks, other hardware)
• Travel expenses to obtain the dog (for pre-approved veterans)
• Euthanasia services

What VA Does Not Cover

• License tags, non-prescription food, grooming
• Non-sedated dental cleanings, nail trimming
• Boarding, pet-sitting, dog-walking
• Over-the-counter medications
• Personal injury insurance

Training Requirements

For VA to provide benefits, the dog must come from a program accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). The veteran and dog must complete the accredited training program together, and the veteran must provide VA with a certificate of successful completion.

Important: Self-trained service dogs are permitted under the ADA for public access rights, but they do not qualify for VA veterinary health benefits. Only dogs from ADI or IGDF-accredited programs are covered by VA.

To qualify for VA service dog benefits, a veteran must meet both of the following criteria:

• Qualifying disability: Diagnosed with a visual impairment, hearing impairment, or substantial mobility impairment (including mobility limitations caused by mental health conditions such as PTSD)
• Clinical determination: The VA clinical team treating the veteran determines that a service dog is the optimal approach for managing the impairment and supporting independent living

Clinicians evaluate each case for the veteran's ability to care for the dog, specific goals the dog would help accomplish, and whether alternative assistive technologies could achieve the same results.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Talk to your VA provider: Meet with your primary care, mental health, or specialist provider. They evaluate whether a service dog could benefit you.
2. Clinical evaluation: The VA clinical team completes a formal evaluation and determines whether a service dog is the optimal solution versus other assistive technologies.
3. Referral through PSAS: If approved, the case is coordinated through your local VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS).
4. Obtain a dog from an approved provider: The veteran obtains a service dog from an ADI or IGDF-accredited organization. Many nonprofits provide dogs at no cost (see below).
5. Complete training: You and the dog must successfully complete the accredited organization's training program together.
6. Submit documentation: Provide your certificate of successful completion to VA. The veterinary health insurance benefit is then activated.
7. Ongoing benefits: VA covers veterinary care through a commercial insurance policy, paying premiums and copayments for the life of the dog.

In 2016, VA expanded its service dog program to include veterans whose mental health conditions — particularly PTSD — cause substantial mobility limitations. A VA mental health provider and care team assess whether the condition qualifies and whether a service dog is the optimal treatment approach. VA covers the same veterinary health insurance benefits for mental health service dogs as for physical disability service dogs.

The PAWS Act Pilot Program

The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act directed VA to conduct a five-year pilot program using canine training as a complementary and integrative health activity for veterans with PTSD.

Key distinction: Unlike traditional service dog programs, the PAWS pilot does not provide veterans with service dogs. Instead, veterans participate in training service dogs for others as a therapeutic activity. The goal is to improve confidence, trust, sense of connection, and overall well-being.

PAWS Pilot Locations

• Asheville, North Carolina
• West Palm Beach, Florida
• San Antonio, Texas
• Palo Alto, California
• Anchorage, Alaska

PAWS Eligibility

• Must be an outpatient veteran with current PTSD symptoms
• Enrolled at a VA medical center with a PAWS pilot site
• Had an appointment with primary care, mental health, whole health, recreation therapy, or social work within the last 3 months
• Screened and approved by the VA PAWS psychologist evaluator

For more on VA mental health services, see our healthcare page.

Since VA does not supply service dogs directly, veterans obtain dogs through nonprofit organizations. Many provide fully trained service dogs at no cost to the veteran. Each dog typically costs $25,000 to $50,000+ to train — covered entirely by the organization through donations and fundraising.

Wait times: Most programs have wait lists of 6 months to 2+ years. Veterans can apply to multiple organizations simultaneously. The matching process typically involves applications, interviews, home evaluations, and sometimes residential training.

All dogs provided by these organizations are free to veterans. Use the ADI Member Search to find accredited programs near you (153 accredited programs worldwide). Remember: only dogs from ADI or IGDF-accredited programs qualify for VA veterinary benefits.

Beyond service dogs, the VA's Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) is the largest and most comprehensive provider of prosthetic devices and sensory aids in the world, serving approximately 380,000 veterans annually. If you are enrolled in VA healthcare and have a medical need, you may be eligible for assistive technology at no cost.

What PSAS Covers

• Prosthetic limbs: Custom-fabricated at 70+ VA locations using state-of-the-art componentry, including advanced research prosthetics with sensory feedback
• Mobility equipment: Manual and power wheelchairs, seating and positioning systems, walkers, canes, crutches, scooters
• Communication devices: Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, speech-generating devices
• Cognitive aids: Electronic devices for cognitive support, memory aids, task management tools
• Environmental controls: Home automation systems, smart home technology for accessibility
• Computer access: Adaptive keyboards and mice, screen readers, voice recognition software, eye-tracking systems
• Recreational technology: Adaptive sports equipment and recreational aids

Vehicle Adaptive Equipment (VAE)

The Automobile Adaptive Equipment program pays for modifications to help eligible veterans safely operate and access their vehicles — including hand controls, wheelchair lifts, modified steering and braking systems, and power seats.

Eligibility: Must have a service-connected disability including loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet or hands, permanent decreased vision (20/200 or worse), severe burn injury, or ALS.

• A one-time automobile allowance is available to help purchase a specially equipped vehicle
• VA approves up to 2 vehicles within a 4-year period
• You must get VA approval before buying a vehicle or equipment
• Apply using VA Form 21-4502 (automobile allowance) or VA Form 10-1394 (adaptive equipment)

Clothing Allowance

Veterans whose prosthetic or orthopedic devices or service-connected skin medications damage their clothing may receive an annual payment of $1,053.19 per year. Apply using VA Form 10-8678 by August 1 of each calendar year. Once approved, renewal is automatic if your prescribed devices or medications remain the same.

Home Modifications

VA offers Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grants for veterans with certain service-connected disabilities. Modifications can include wheelchair ramps, widened doorways, roll-in showers, lowered countertops, grab bars, and voice-recognition home automation.

For more on housing grants, see our Adapted Housing Grants guide.

VA provides comprehensive rehabilitation services for veterans who are blind or have low vision, designed to support independent living. The Blind Rehabilitation Service offers care coordination, assessments, and therapeutic instruction through both inpatient and outpatient programs.

Blind Rehabilitation Centers (BRCs)

BRCs are residential inpatient programs providing comprehensive adjustment-to-blindness training. VA operates 13 BRCs across the country:

VIST Coordinators

Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) coordinators provide lifetime care coordination for veterans with visual impairments. They serve as the entry point into blind rehabilitation services, coordinate referrals to BRCs and outpatient programs, and connect veterans with assistive technology. Contact the VIST coordinator at your nearest VA medical center to get started.

Services & Technology

• Vision-enhancing devices: Electronic reading machines, magnification devices, portable electronic magnifiers
• Mobility aids: White canes, GPS navigation devices, orientation and mental mapping training
• Computer adaptive technology: Screen readers (JAWS), ZoomText, large-print keyboards, refreshable Braille displays
• Daily living skills: Cooking, medication management, sign recognition, writing strategies
• Mobile technology: Accessible smartphone and tablet training, apps for daily living
• Mental health support: Counseling for adjustment to blindness, group therapy, peer support
• Family-centered care: Education and training for family members and caregivers

Guide Dogs

VA does not provide guide dogs directly but partners with nonprofit organizations that do. Veterans who obtain a guide dog from an IGDF or ADI-accredited program receive VA-covered veterinary care and equipment (harnesses, backpacks) under 38 CFR 17.148.

Outpatient Options

For veterans who don't need residential care, VA offers outpatient clinics, Visual Impairment Services in Rehabilitation (VISOR) programs, Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists (BROS), and home-based training in some areas.

Hearing loss and tinnitus are among the most common service-connected disabilities. VA Audiology is one of the largest audiology programs in the world, operating at more than 650 sites of care. Audiology is one of the few VA services that can be scheduled directly — no referral from a primary care provider is needed.

What VA Provides

• Hearing aids: Provided at no cost to eligible enrolled veterans, including modern digital hearing aids with Bluetooth connectivity (BTE, RIC, ITE, ITC, CIC styles)
• Cochlear implants: For veterans with severe hearing loss who do not benefit from hearing aids
• Bone-anchored hearing aids: An alternative for specific types of hearing loss
• Assistive listening devices: Alerting devices, amplified phones, and other communication aids
• Tinnitus management: Evaluation, treatment, and management programs
• Balance assessments: Vestibular evaluations and treatment

Costs

For eligible enrolled veterans, all hearing-related services are provided at no cost:

• Hearing aids — no cost
• Repairs — no cost
• Batteries and accessories — no cost
• Replacement accessories — no cost

How to Get VA Hearing Aids

1. Enroll in VA healthcare (if not already enrolled)
2. Schedule an audiology appointment directly (no referral needed)
3. Complete a comprehensive hearing evaluation
4. If recommended, hearing aids are ordered and fitted at no cost
5. Follow-up appointments for adjustments
6. Ongoing care — order replacement batteries and accessories online at VA.gov or by mail using VA Form 1107

Teleaudiology

VA offers virtual hearing care including remote hearing aid programming and adjustments, significantly expanding access for veterans in rural areas. Both in-person and virtual options are available.

• VA Service & Guide Dogs Program
• VA Assistive Technology
• VA Blind & Low Vision Rehabilitation
• VA Hearing Aid Services
• Automobile Allowance & Adaptive Equipment
• ADI Accredited Program Search
• ADA Service Animal FAQ