On August 17, 2015 the VA announced a new ruling regarding service animals in VA Facilities. Under the revised regulation, only dogs will be considered service animals. No other animals will be considered or permitted on VA Property. The only exceptions to this ruling on service dogs are if the animal qualifies under the rules governing animal- assisted therapy dogs or for law enforcement purposes.
To be considered a service animal the dogs must be individually trained to perform work or tasks on behalf of an individual with a disability. Service animal dogs may access VA property by the same access that the public has to VA property. The dogs may be restricted to certain areas on the VA property.