Join this Tuesday’s virtual meeting of the Dog Handlers Outreach Program scheduled for 4:00pm Eastern Time via Zoom as attendees discuss the opportunity for public comment regarding the Animal Relief Attestation Form recently revised by the federal Department of Transportation (DOT). Due to the critical nature of the form to the dog handler community, BVA National President Paul Mimms and National Executive Director Don Overton will host and moderate this week’s session to offer background information to the group and suggest their involvement during the comment period. 

Airlines are permitted to require passengers traveling with service animals to submit and provide to airlines, as a condition of travel, a U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form. The purpose of the attestation form is to provide assurances to airlines that a service animal does not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of passengers, crew, and others during air transportation.

On November 23, 2023, DOT sought comment for 60 days on an amended version of the form. The majority of the comments reflected the opinion that the forms were burdensome, overwhelming, and often inaccessible to people with disabilities, especially those who are blind. The forms have undergone a subsequent revision with a comment period that now ends on May 29, 2024.

BVA National Headquarters will be submitting formal comments about the proposed form, but individuals are highly encouraged to submit comments also. The more comments received, the greater the odds of improving this process for BVA stakeholders. During the meeting, Paul and Don will explain the comment process to those in attendance and suggest language that could be included in the comments.

In advance of next week’s Dog Handlers session, interested individuals can review additional information about this issue and view the Federal Register page where public comments can be expressed. A button at the top right of the page constitutes the link to submit a formal comment.  

All past, present, and prospective dog handlers among BVA’s blind and low vision veterans are encouraged to attend the meeting. Included among the invitees are those who have never attended a program meeting in the past and those who do not currently have a guide dog but who are interested in the issues concerning them. Please encourage your fellow veterans to attend, sharing the Zoom link and other joining information below.

For additional information about the Dog Handlers Outreach Program, click here. To enter the meeting directly, click here.

The Blinded Veterans Association is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: BVA Dog Handlers Committee Meeting

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 4:00pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89948566589?pwd=T29UQ1YvTjNzWC9iMC9MTEtqQlE0Zz09

Meeting ID: 899 4856 6589

Passcode: 287354

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