Mandate CAN/HRSO‑500.01 Standard
Petitioners ask the Minister to make National Standard CAN/HRSO‑500.01 mandatory and create a framework for Veterans Affairs Canada to fund certified animal‑assisted services for veterans and families. The government responds that VAC will support national standards and awareness, provides current health benefits, and says evidence does not yet show assistance animals treat PTSD.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would require a mandatory national standard and third‑party certification, creating consistent quality and safety for services eligible for VAC funding.
- Removing barriers and funding certified providers could improve veterans' access to potentially life‑saving mental‑health supports within VAC rehabilitation programs.
- A federal framework could harmonize practice across provinces, increase awareness, and simplify referrals and funding for veterans and families.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Creating and enforcing a mandatory standard and funding framework would add administrative costs and complexity that may compete with other VAC priorities.
- VAC notes current evidence does not establish assistance animals as effective PTSD treatment, so policy change may outpace the science.
- Mandating certification could create access gaps for veterans in remote areas or for providers that cannot meet new requirements.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Government of Canada Whereas: For over 15 years, Veterans have been asking for service animals to be fully incorporated into Veterans Affairs Canada's mental health and other rehabilitation programs. In some cases, removing barriers such as accessing or paying for Animal-Assisted Human Services is a matter of life and death; The published National Standard of Canada, CAN/HRSO - 500.01 - 2022 "Development of a Management System for Animal-Assisted Human Services", is voluntary and needs to be enshrined in legislation to become mandatory. Once this National Standard of Canada becomes mandatory a third-party assessment could confirm whether an Animal-Assisted Human Services Provider meets the Standard and is eligible to apply for Veterans Affairs Canada funding to serve veterans and their families; and The development and implementation of a framework to enhance Veterans Affairs Canada's provision of Animal-Assisted Services to veterans and their families would promote collaboration and harmonization with the provinces and territories, facilitate awareness, and improve access to Animal-Assisted Human Services across Canada. We, the undersigned, citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Veterans Affairs to introduce legislation developing and implementing a framework to enhance Veterans Affairs Canada's provision of Animal-Assisted Services to veterans and their families.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence Signed by Mr. Sean Casey The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring Veterans and their families have access to the benefits and support they need, when that support is needed. Veterans Affairs Canada recognizes there is interest in the benefits of using service dogs and service animals to assist persons living with disabilities including mental health conditions. Veterans Affairs Canada’s goal is to ensure its clients have access to the benefits they need. Veterans Affairs Canada currently provides support for a suite of health care benefits to meet both physical and mental health needs. Veterans Affairs Canada is aware of the National Standard of Canada, CAN/HRSO - 500.01 – 2022 “Development of a Management System for Animal-Assisted Human Services” published in 2022. In its Government Response to the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (2022) Sixth Report “Incorporating Service Dogs into the Rehabilitation Program of Veterans Affairs Canada”, Veterans Affairs Canada agreed in part with Committee Recommendation 4 to support and promote the creation of national standards for service dogs in Canada. Veterans Affairs Canada indicated that it will support organizations working to develop national standards by sharing their message with Veteran Stakeholder groups, and as suitable, with service dog providers in an effort to increase awareness and encourage participation in the initiative to develop a national standard. Veterans Affairs Canada remains committed to providing that support. Veterans Affairs Canada continues to follow research in this field, both in Canada and abroad. While mental health service dogs are generally viewed as beneficial and may improve an individual’s quality of life, the current evidence does not support the provision of mental health service dogs or other assistance animals as an effective treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or other related mental health conditions.