What is the difference between service animals/ service dogs, therapy animals, companion animals and “social” animals?
Service animals are legally defined (Americans With Disabilities Act, 1990) and are trained to meet the disability-related needs of their handlers who have disabilities. Federal laws protect the rights of individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by their service animals in public places. To be protected by federal law, the person must meet the definition of having a disability. To have the right of access with the animal to otherwise “no pets/animals” areas open to the public, the person must meet the definition of having a disability and the animal must meet the definition of service animal. Service animals/service dogs are not considered “pets.” Federal law does not legally define therapy animals, but some states have laws defining therapy animals. They provide people with contact to animals, but are not limited to working with people who have disabilities. They are usually the personal pets of their handlers, and work with their handlers to provide services to others. Federal
