Ada Service Dog Definition

The definition of a service animal under each of these laws is different from the definition under the ada.

Ada service dog definition.

Emotional support animals also called therapy or comfort animals have not been trained to perform work or tasks. This definition does not affect or limit the broader definition of assistance animal under the fair housing act or the broader definition of service animal under the air carrier access act. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ada. Service animal defined by title ii and title iii of the ada.

Under title iii of the federal americans with disabilities act ada and virtually all state laws a service animal is an animal that has been trained to perform work or tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. A service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability including a physical sensory psychiatric intellectual or other mental disability. Content was developed by the mid atlantic ada center and is based on professional consensus of ada experts and the ada national network. The ada makes a distinction between psychiatric service animals and emotional support animals.