Service animals | veterans affairs
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At VA Palo Alto health care, we are committed to offering Veterans of all abilities safe, easy, and equal access to quality health care. We welcome service animals and recognize the
significance of their service and companionship. This information will help visitors to our facilities learn about our programs and policies. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS (ESA) Emotional
support animals (ESAs) help to improve their owner's emotional or mental well-being. They don't need any special training, and can be any type of domesticated animal. ESAs are
different from service animals, but they can be just as important to their owners. They give emotional support and can be a vital part of a Veteran's treatment plan. ESAs are not given
the same legal rights as service animals because they don't go through special training to help people with disabilities with specific tasks. KEEP IN MIND THAT EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS
ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE GROUNDS OF VA HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, AND THEY CANNOT COME WITH YOU TO YOUR APPOINTMENTS. To prevent unnecessary stress, please remember to check the guidelines in
advance when bringing your emotional support animal to other places you visit.