Service animal
Service animals perform specific tasks for a person with a disability.
Access rights
Full public access rights under ADA
Species
Must be a dog (rarely miniature horse)
Training
Task-trained
Emotional support animal
Emotional support animals provide emotional comfort to a person with a disability
Access rights
Housing access only under FHA
Species
Any species
Training
No formal training required
Therapy animal
Therapy animals bring comfort to others in group settings.
Access rights
No special access rights; allowed only with permission
Species
Mostly dogs, but other species may act as therapy animals
Training
Must be trained for interaction
Pet
Pets offer love, joy, and companionship
Access rights
No legal access rights beyond standard pet policies
Species
Any species
Training
No training required
For more information, visit our Pets and Mental Health Resource Center.
This content was developed by Mental Health America in partnership with HABRI.