Bachmann, Carter push bill to allow all service dogs in VA hospitals

Moments after the House finished business for the week, popular conservative lawmaker Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and House GOP Conference Secretary Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) took to the podium on the East Front of the Capitol to spotlight a bill that would allow service dogs access to veterans’ facilities.

Bachmann, the Tea Party darling and possible presidential contender, spoke at a sparsely attended press conference following final votes for the week and added her star power to a bill more than a year in the making.

{mosads}Bachmann, Carter, AMVETS representatives and two wounded veterans (along with their service dogs), made the case for a bill entitled the Veterans Equal Treatment for Service Dogs Act.

The bill would permanently close a “loophole in Department of Veterans Affairs policy” that bans all but guide dogs for the blind from entering VA hospitals nationwide.

Veterans have started using trained-service dogs for hearing loss, as prosthesis devices and to help perform ordinary tasks made difficult by a variety of battlefield and job-site injuries.

Bachmann said that she was glad to support Carter’s bill, adding that she represents 50,000 veterans in her district.

“Those who use service dogs are not given first-class status when they have to check their service dog at the VA hospital door. Instead, our veterans should be encouraged to bring their helper when they receive medical care,” Bachmann said.

Last week, the VA wrote a directive to clarify that all service dogs would be able to enter VA hospitals.

Carter decided to move his legislation regardless of the VA directive, so that it would codify into law a change that he said was sorely needed.

The former judge said, “I want to make it very clear also that we’re not criticizing the Veterans Administration. We’re trying to help them have a clear directive that’s not only a directive but that’s set into law.”

Acting legislative director for AMVETS, Christina Roof, who has worked on the issue for over a year, was appreciative that Carter opted to sponsor the bill. Roof began working on the matter in earnest with former Rep. Ron Klein (D-Fla.) last year, but after Klein lost his reelection race in November she approached other potentially interested lawmakers.

She agreed with Carter’s decision to move the bill even after the directive issued by the VA.

“Though we applaud VA’s recent directive on this issue, AMVETS cannot stress enough the importance of Congressman Carter’s legislation in permanently closing this access loophole,” Roof said at the press conference.

Two wounded veterans were on hand at the press event to demonstrate their need for service animals.

AMVETS members Kevin Stone and Sue Downes both rely on their service animals. Stone, a Paralympic medalist, relies on his stout yellow Labrador named Mambo as a prosthetic, which was apparent as he approached the podium in his wheelchair.

“Mambo, come. Heel. Mambo. Up,” the former special operations soldier said as he placed his hand on the back of the Lab’s broad shoulders to steady himself as he rose to the podium.

“Attaboy,” Stone said to the attentive service dog. 

“I know what it’s like to be denied access to my VA healthcare facility along with my service dog Mambo. We have a symbiotic relationship,” Stone said, as his canine-prosthesis appeared to get distracted, wandering around the podium towards Bachmann. But Manbo was by Stone’s side the moment he needed to sit back down in the wheelchair.

“Mambo. Heel,” Stone said half-heartedly.

Carter quipped that “he likes pretty girls,” a remark welcomed with laughter by the handful of aides and vets at the event.

Stone later explained that Mambo was used to standing directly to the right of the wounded veteran and was trying to move to that position.

The service dogs remained calm during the 20-minute event and stayed alert to the needs of their human charges.

At the end of the event, Carter added that he would be “surprised if we don’t get everybody in the Congress to sign onto this bill because it’s a good bill. It does a good deed and good deeds are hard to come by sometimes in Washington.”

Carter predicted a speedy process to passage of his bill in both chambers. As of Friday, he had nearly 40 co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle.

He had yet to rally support from his fellow Texans but promised to work on it.

Carter said he took on the cause in part because he had heard from so many constituents in his district, which is home to Ft. Hood Army base. His unabashed love for man’s best friend also factored into the decision to push the bill.

“I happen to own a yellow Lab … and a chocolate Lab … and a St. Bernard … and two pugs and a Boston terrier. So when I say I’m a dog guy, I’m a dog guy. At one time my wife and I owned 14 dogs,” the Texan lawmaker said, adding, “that’s why I’m so poor.”