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January 2015

  /    /  January

Service Dog gear is getting an upgrade! The FIDO Vest is wearable technology for all types of working dogs, but the implications for Service Dog teams is huge. Standing for “Facilitating Interactions for Dogs with Occupations,” the FIDO Vest is designed to allow Service Dogs, detector K9s, Search and Rescue K9s and other working dogs to communicate with their handler, emergency contacts or 911, depending on the needs of the team.

 How do you handle an emergency situation as a service dog handler?  What can you do to make it easier on you, the service animal, and the first responders?  These are all questions we should think of, but rarely actually seek the answer until it’s too late and an emergency situation has already occurred.  So, then, where do we start?

For many veterans across the United States, their Service Dog is a lifesaver, literally. However, current VA regulations limit access to VA facilities to "seeing-eye dogs and other animals as authorized at the discretion of a VA facility head or designee." The proposed Service Dog access regulation changes would open VA properties to more types of Service Dogs. Right now, the VA is holding open commenting and is inviting your input.