WALDORF, Md. — Brennon Groves, a medically retired U.S. Air Force veteran, is leading a nationwide effort to reform the Veterans Administration’s (VA) process for assisting veterans with service dogs. His Change.org petition, which has garnered over 20,400 signatures, calls for the establishment of a dedicated VA office to oversee the Service Dog Veterinary Health Insurance Benefit (VHIB) application process and expand coverage for mental health conditions.
Diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Groves relies on his service dog for support. However, his application for VHIB was denied after waiting more than a year, with the VA citing that the benefit is not currently offered. This experience spurred him to launch his petition, which highlights the need for structural changes within the VA to assist veterans seeking access to the benefit.
“The prosthetics office, which currently handles these matters, has little knowledge of this benefit,” Groves wrote in his petition. “This experience underscores the need to establish an office dedicated to assisting veterans in applying for and receiving approval for VHIB.”
Groves has secured backing from a major U.S.-Canada union and one of the country’s largest service dog organizations. Additionally, he has engaged with Maryland Congressman Steny H. Hoyer’s office to advocate for this cause.
“I’m a Disabled Veteran with a service dog, and I see a lot of people like me who have the same issue with the VA, so I’m trying to make changes the best I can,” Groves said.
On Oct. 7, Groves and his service dog, alongside representatives from the Machinists Union (IAM) Veterans Services Coordinators, met with Hoyer’s staff in Washington, D.C. to discuss the petition. According to Groves, Hoyer’s team agreed to advance the issue to the VA.
“I’m pleased to share that Congressman Hoyer’s team agreed to take on the cause and bring this issue to the Veterans Administration,” Groves said following the meeting.
Despite these efforts, Groves has yet to receive a formal response from Hoyer’s office. Frustrated by political delays, he is now turning to local communities to raise awareness of the petition and amplify its reach.
“There are approximately 20 million veterans in the United States today, many of whom could potentially benefit from having a service dog,” Groves wrote in his petition. “Without proper support from VA offices to navigate benefits like VHIB, these essential aids remain inaccessible to many who need them.”
The petition proposes the creation of a VA office solely dedicated to managing VHIB applications and approvals. It also advocates for expanding VHIB coverage to include all mental health conditions as recognized disabilities.
Groves remains committed to his mission, drawing on widespread public support and the resilience instilled in him during his military service.
The petition can be found at Change.org.
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