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Understanding Service Animals: Definition and Responsibilities

What is a Service Animal Under the ADA?

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is defined as any breed or size of dog that has been individually trained to perform a task directly related to a person's disability. These tasks may include assisting with mobility, hearing, seeing, or providing emotional support for mental health conditions.

Recent Amendments to the ADA

Recent amendments to the ADA's regulations have narrowed the definition of service animals that are protected. Specifically, the amended regulations clarify that emotional support animals, therapy animals, comfort animals, and other animals that provide comfort or companionship are not considered service animals under the ADA.

What Does “Work or Perform Tasks” Mean?

The ADA requires that service animals be trained to perform specific tasks that relate to the individual's disability. These tasks may include:

• Guiding people who are blind or have low vision
• Alerting people who are deaf or hard of hearing to sounds
• Providing stability and balance for people with mobility impairments
• Retrieving items for people with reach or dexterity limitations
• Calming individuals with psychiatric disabilities during panic attacks

Pennsylvania Law and Emotional Support Animals

Pennsylvania law provides additional protection for emotional support animals (ESAs). ESAs are animals that provide companionship and comfort to individuals with emotional or mental health disabilities. While ESAs are not considered service animals under the ADA, they may be allowed in public places under certain circumstances.