Veteran Animal-Assisted Services National Framework

Summary#

This bill orders Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) to create and carry out a national framework for animal-assisted services for veterans. It sets standards, requires third-party accreditation for providers, and mandates public reporting and an independent review. The bill does not create new benefits or funding.

• Defines “animal-assisted service” to include trained assistance animals and animal-assisted therapy or activities (Interpretation).
• Requires VAC to consult stakeholders and consider a 2022 House of Commons committee report on service dogs for veterans (Development (1); Considerations (2)(b)).
• Mandates structured processes, documentation standards for veteran requests, and compliance oversight, possibly by an independent entity (Content (3)(a),(c)).
• Integrates National Standard CAN/HRSO-500.01 for third-party accreditation of providers (Content (3)(b)).
• Requires a public framework report within 12 months of the Act coming into force, and an independent review 5 years later (Tabling of framework (1); Independent review (1)).

What it means for you#

• Veterans

  • VAC must set clear steps and documentation rules for requesting animal-assisted services. This will apply once the framework is implemented; the report is due within 12 months after the Act comes into force (Content (3)(a),(d); Tabling of framework (1)).
  • You may need to use providers with third-party accreditation aligned with CAN/HRSO-500.01 (Content (3)(b)).
  • Expect public information on objectives, timelines, and how VAC will monitor the program (Content (3)(d)).

• Families of veterans

  • The definition covers animal-assisted therapy and activities, which are often part of rehabilitation programs. The preamble recognizes possible benefits to families, but services under this Act are directed to veterans (Preamble; Interpretation).

• Animal-assisted service providers

  • To serve VAC-referred veterans, you may need third-party accreditation under requirements drawn from CAN/HRSO-500.01 (Content (3)(b)).
  • VAC will set standards for service delivery and documentation, and may use an independent body to check compliance (Content (3)(a),(c)).
  • Expect monitoring and evaluation tied to objectives and timelines set in the framework (Content (3)(d)).

• Health professionals

  • VAC may require clinical documentation to support a veteran’s request for animal-assisted services. The framework will specify what is needed (Content (3)(a)).

• Veterans Affairs Canada

  • Must consult stakeholders, design and implement the framework, table a report within 12 months, publish it online within 10 days of tabling, and arrange an independent review after 5 years, with a report published within 10 days of tabling (Development (1); Tabling of framework (1)-(2); Independent review (1)-(2)).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.

• No publicly available fiscal note identified. Data unavailable.
• The bill contains no explicit appropriations, benefit expansions, or fees (Bill text).
• It requires VAC to develop and implement a framework, consult stakeholders, evaluate compliance (possibly via an independent entity), table reports, and fund an independent review after 5 years. Administrative and oversight costs are not stated (Development (1); Content (3)(c); Independent review (1)). Data unavailable.
• Providers may face costs to obtain and maintain third-party accreditation to meet VAC participation requirements. Data unavailable (Content (3)(b)).

Proponents' View#

• Standardized processes and documentation can make access clearer and safer for veterans, the public, and participating animals (Preamble; Content (3)(a)).
• Using the CAN/HRSO-500.01 standard for third-party accreditation brings objective, recognized requirements and helps harmonize practices across Canada (Content (3)(b); Considerations (2)(d)).
• The bill implements recommendations from the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs regarding service dogs in rehabilitation (Considerations (2)(b)).
• Transparency is built in: VAC must table and publish the framework within 12 months and commission a public, independent review after 5 years (Tabling of framework (1)-(2); Independent review (1)-(2)).
• Considering “gaps in health care coverage and programs” may lead VAC to address uneven access or unclear policies (Considerations (2)(c)). Assumes VAC actions will follow from the consideration requirement.

Opponents' View#

• Third-party accreditation requirements could reduce the pool of eligible providers, especially in regions with few accredited organizations, which could slow access for veterans (Content (3)(b)). Assumes limited provider capacity.
• New documentation standards may add paperwork for veterans and clinicians, creating delays if processes are complex (Content (3)(a)). Actual burden depends on framework design.
• The bill sets reporting deadlines but does not guarantee funding or specific service levels. The framework could be adopted without expanding services (Content (3)(d)). Assumes no separate funding is provided.
• Compliance checks and possible independent oversight add administrative costs to VAC and providers, with no dedicated funding in the bill (Content (3)(c); Independent review (1)).
• A harmonized, national approach may not fit all regional contexts or existing practices, risking mismatches with local needs (Considerations (2)(d)). Assumes standards are applied uniformly without flexibility.
• Accountability limits: the Act sets no penalties for non-compliance with the framework, and a 5-year review cycle may be slow to fix problems (Content (3); Independent review (1)).