Additional Service Dog Related Definitions

Assistance Dog
A generic term for guide, hearing, or service dog specifically trained to do one or more tasks to mitigate the effects of an individual’s disability. The presence of a dog for protection, personal defense, or comfort Does Not Qualify that dog as an assistance dog.

Working Dogs
A working dog is a dog used to perform practical tasks, as opposed to pet or companion dogs. These may include dogs used by:
● Armed Forces
● Police, Fire, Park and Security Departments
● Governmental Agencies such as the FBI, Homeland Security and TSA (airport)
● Professional Search and Rescue Groups
● Persons with Disabilities
Dogs used in sports, therapy, obedience and/or conformation are not considered working dogs.

Therapy Dogs
● A therapy dog is a dog that is trained to provide affection, comfort and support to people, often in settings such as hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, libraries, hospices, or disaster areas.
● Any animal species
● Participate in a range of animal-assisted interventions (i.e., activities or therapy).
● Typically registered with/certified by an animal-assisted intervention organization after successful training, behavioral, and veterinary evaluation.
● Access to facilities where pets are prohibited is at the discretion of management. No federally protected right to access.
● No federal requirement regarding identification. Animals will usually wear a bandana, harness, or ID tag.
● Not recognized by federal law. Emotional Support Animals
● Any animal species
● Their use is supported in writing by a qualified physician or mental health professional based upon a disability-related need.
● No specific training requirement.
● No requirement for licensing or certification.
● May accompany the handler in their home when they can reasonably be accommodated.
● Recognized under the Fair Housing Act and Rehabilitation Act. No longer recognized as service animals by the regulations under the Air Carrier Access Act and Department of Transportation Guidance Concerning Service Animals in Air Transportation. Airlines may now apply the same rules as pets.