Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 1300.27
January 7, 2016
USD(P&R)
SUBJECT: Guidance on the Use of Service Dogs by Service Members
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. In accordance with the authority of DoD Directive 5124.02 (Reference (a)), this
instruction establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for the use of
service dogs by Service members, as defined in section 35.136 of Title 28, Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) (Reference (b)) and section 17.148 of Title 38, CFR (Reference (c)).
2. APPLICABILITY. This instruction applies to OSD, the Military Departments (including the
Coast Guard at all times, including when it is a Service in the Department of Homeland Security
by agreement with that Department), the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and
the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department
of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities
within the DoD.
3. POLICY. It is DoD policy that:
a. Recovering Service members (RSMs) who have medical conditions that require the
assistance of a service dog for activities of daily living may utilize service dogs on DoD
installations while on active duty.
b. The Military Departments retain authority over installation access, control, and domiciling
for all animals other than service dogs, including pets, therapy animals, and service dogs in
training.
c. Use of animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activities will be in accordance with
policies of the Military Departments and are not covered by this instruction.
d. Military working dogs adopted by Service members in accordance with section 2583 of
Title 10, United States Code (Reference (d)) and any dogs not obtained from an accredited
service dog organization approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs do not meet the
qualifications for service dogs as defined by References (b) and (c).
