Government Still at Work

In an article printed this morning, it was reported that a disabled Vietnam veteran in Houston received a service dog to help him in his disability. But he did not receive it from the government, even though he applied to the government nearly eight years ago.

The Department of Veteran's Affairs Web site states that they "routinely" provide dogs to veterans who need them. What the Web site does not say is that it takes years after applying for the dog for the veterans receive them. The reason for this delay, according to the Department, is that they must "conduct studies on the dog's benefits and the problems promoting the service." One might think that studies regarding the benefits of providing service dogs, (I assume they were speaking of the benefits to the veteran, rather than the dog), and how the program would be promoted, would have been completed before the program was initiated. But one would be wrong.

After waiting nearly eight years for the government to provide him a dog, despite his undisputed need and eligibility, the veteran turned in frustration to a private group, which was able to provide him with a dog. Even though the government program to provide disabled veterans with dogs was initiated eight years ago, they are evidently still working out the procedures and rules. One can envision the office where these rules are being studied as bureaucrats read files and studies, craft memos, establish rules and procedures, and hold meetings to discuss the implementation of those rules and procedures - and then hold more meetings to discuss any changes that might need to be made.

It should be kept in mind that providing disabled veterans with dogs is a small program with a simple and uncontroversial objective. The motives behind it are good and the need is unchallenged. Yet, even with this going for it, the government is still unable to effectively administer this program. But I suppose the government will do a much better job administering health care since it will be a larger program with broader goals, a much greater budget, and many more people working on it.