{"id":1401,"date":"2020-04-24T17:34:46","date_gmt":"2020-04-24T16:34:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=1401"},"modified":"2021-06-23T07:56:00","modified_gmt":"2021-06-23T06:56:00","slug":"what-is-a-service-animal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/what-is-a-service-animal\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Service Animal and Other Working Animal Facts"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is a service animal<\/span>? What is the difference between a service animal and a therapy animal?<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all seen guide dogs, cats on planes, and even rabbits in hospitals and nursing homes helping people and providing support. We will cover everything from <\/span>therapy dog training<\/span> to service animal licensing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Saying that service animals help people is too broad a definition. These animals provide much more than a service \u2014 they allow people with disabilities to live again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is a Service Animal?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as a dog \u201cindividually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.\u201d Currently, there are about <\/span>half a million service dogs<\/span><\/a> in the US.<\/span><\/p>\n

Disabilities are not always limited to physical impairments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Service canines, which are considered <\/span>working dogs<\/span>, can also help people suffering from mental health issues so severe that they impair their everyday lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Animals trained to provide comfort to people affected by \u201cemotional\u201d disabilities with just their presence are not categorized under <\/span>types of service animals<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, people with diabetes may use specially trained <\/span>diabetic service dogs<\/span> to inform them when there\u2019s a problem with their blood sugar levels or remind them to take their medication.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These animals also help people with disabilities escape stressful and potentially dangerous situations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike service animals, emotional support animals (ESAs) and therapy animals are not trained to take action.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is where the fine line between <\/span>emotional support animal vs. service animal<\/span> is and what confuses people most.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, they benefit people with their presence. Therapy animals are trained to offer comfort to people in stressful <\/span>environments<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They commonly accompany handlers to schools, nursing homes, and hospitals. There they provide support or socialization to the people in these institutions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is a Service Animal by Law?<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to the ADA, service animals are dogs, and only dogs help people with disabilities lead better and more independent lives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other animals such as miniature horses can also qualify as service animals (under special circumstances).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, it\u2019s up to the state and local government agencies and private businesses to decide whether they accept miniature horses as service animals or not.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Factors such as size and weight are usually taken into consideration in these cases.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can Cats Be Service Animals?<\/span><\/h3>\n

The short answer is no.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many would argue that if dogs can do it, so can cats. However, the ADA doesn\u2019t recognize felines as service animals, which makes sense to some extent.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, cats are amazing, a<\/span>nd we all love them (and claim that we can train them), but cats can\u2019t pull wheelchairs or guide blind people to cross a busy street.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, when it comes to defining a <\/span>service animal<\/span>, a <\/span>cat<\/span> just doesn\u2019t make the cut. <\/span>They are perfect as ESAs, though, and thus enjoy some of the privileges awarded to service canines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The same goes for other animals like ferrets, pigs, parrots, boa constrictors, and monkeys.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These animal species can be trained to perform various tasks and help disabled people. Still, they do not legally qualify as service animals.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Sets Service Animals Apart from Other Animals?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Service animals must be specially trained to do tasks individually suited to their handlers\u2019 needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An <\/span>emotional support dog<\/span> or a therapy canine is not trained to carry out actions. Instead, it helps people by being in their presence.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are the Specific Tasks Service Canines Perform?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Depending on the disability in question, there are various tasks that service animals will be required to do for their owners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From performing physical duties to providing companionship and comfort, they do it all. However, the service they give must be tailored to their owners\u2019 needs and requirements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of Service Dogs<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some of the most common types of service pups include, but are not limited to:<\/span><\/p>\n