VA Portland Health Care System

Service dogs are welcome at VAPORHCS facilities

For the safety of our patients, visitors, staff and legitimate service animals, PLEASE leave all other animals at home when visiting any VAPORHCS facility

In accordance with VHA Directive 1188, dated August 26, 2015,  VAPORHCS permits service animals to accompany individuals with a disability to all areas of VAPORHCS property, grounds, and/or vehicles, with a few exceptions, while maintaining a safe environment for Veterans, staff, visitors, and the service animal. Non-service animals are not permitted to access VAPORHCS property.

The term “service animal” is a dog that is specially trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability who cannot perform the work or task dependent of the dog, e.g., guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items. The work or tasks performed by the service dog must be directly related to the individuals’ disability, and the service provided by the dog must compensate or offset the disability that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of the individual.

It is important to know that ALL other species of animals, therapy animals, companion animals, emotional support animals, pets, and service dogs in training are not considered service animals.

All animals are restricted from, but not limited to, a number of places including dental exam rooms, operating rooms / surgical suites, intensive care units, dialysis & chemotherapy areas, and a few others.

Please coordinate in advance of your visit for someone to watch your service dog in case you need to be separated; VA staff are NOT ALLOWED to care for your dog.  If you have any questions about this, contact your provider before your appointment.

All the details are available here in this flyer.

Thank you for your support in keeping everyone and all service animals safe while visiting at VAPORHCS.
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