Summary of the Mandates or Laws Applicable to Therapeutically Used Animals and the Rights Under Each Law
| Disability-Related Assistance Animals | Therapy Animals | Pets | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Animalsa | Emotional Support Animals | |||
| Animal species | Dogs and miniature horses only | Any | Any | Any |
| Main applicable mandates and laws | ADAb | FHA, ACAA, state and local laws | State and local laws, institutional regulations | State and local laws and codes |
| Owner has a right to: | ||||
| Bring animal into all public establishments | Yesc | No | No | No |
| Live with animal, even if “no pet” policy in place | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Bring animal on airline flights | Yes | Yesc | No | No |
| Permitted in medical settings | Yesc | No | Yesc | No |
| Requires training for specific disability-related tasks | Yes | No | Maybed | No |
| Used by single individual for support | Yes | Yes | No | Maybed |
| Primary function is emotional support | No | Yes | Maybed | No |
| Owner may be asked to disclose related disability | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Requires gentle temperament, behavior | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
↵a Includes psychiatric service animals.
↵b According to the ADA definition; the FHA and ACAA imply broader definitions.
↵c Statutes and regulations impose some restrictions on access.
↵d May apply but is not required.
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act.
FHA: Fair Housing Act.
ACAA: Air Carrier Access Act.