Animals - Service, Therapy and Emotional Support

Service Animals
(Dogs)
Therapy Animals
(Any legal species)
Emotional Support Animals
(Any legal species)
Alternate NamesWorking, guide, signal, medical alert and psychiatric service animals.Assistance animals.Comfort animals, or companion animals.
Certification RequirementsNone. There is no nationally recognized certifying agency and no certification granted to service, therapy, emotional support, or other assistance-type animals. Neither the Federal Housing Administration nor the Americans with Disabilities Act requires a service animal “certification”.None. There is no nationally recognized certifying agency and no certification granted to service, therapy, emotional support, or other assistance-type animals. Neither the Federal Housing Administration nor Americans with Disabilities Act requires a service animal “certification”.None. There is no nationally recognized certifying agency and no certification granted to service, therapy, emotional support, or other assistance-type animals. Neither the Federal Housing Administration nor Americans with Disabilities Act requires a service animal “certification”.
Required TrainingRequired to meet needs of a specific person.Not required by law.None.
TrainerProfessional service-dog trainer.No requirements.Does not apply.
HandlerDisabled Owner.Owner.Owner.
SocializingProhibited while on duty.Required.Does not apply.
Function
Works, and provides assistance, performs specific tasks in connection with one person who has a disability.Provides psychological or physiological benefit to individuals or groups in a clinical environment. May also provide benefits to an individual in the home. Example: Interacts with people in nursing homes, hospitals, special-needs schools, rehab facilities.Exerts a positive effect on a person with a disability. Example: Proximity or contact alleviates depression or anxiety symptoms.
Legal StatusProtected under the ADA and FHA.Reasonable accommodations are required.Reasonable accommodations are required.
Pet RestrictionsNo.No, if the owner is receiving a benefit, unless aggressive, destructive, uncontrolled, or unhygienic.No, unless aggressive, destructive, uncontrolled, or unhygienic.
Required DocumentsIt is permissible to request if the disability-related need isn’t apparent. Health-care provider statement that the animal is trained to assist the resident with a disability.It is permissible to request if the disability-related need isn’t apparent. Health-care provider statement that the animal is needed to alleviate the symptoms of a disability is sufficient.
It is permissible to request if the disability-related need isn’t apparent. Health-care provider statement that the animal is needed to alleviate the symptoms of a disability is sufficient.

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