05/06/2019
"Service Dogs are trained to perform specific tasks and to do work that eases their handlers’ disabilities. 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." "Working as part of a team with their disabled partners, service dogs help them attain independence. It is very important to note that these dogs are not for petting as it could prevent them from performing their job correctly."
"[Most] service dogs have a “no petting” policy as they need to focus on their handlers to perform their tasks."
"Therapy Animals also receive training but have a completely different type of job from service dogs. Their responsibilities are to provide psychological or physiological therapy to individuals other than their handlers. These dogs have stable temperaments and friendly, easy-going personalities. Typically, they visit hospitals, schools, hospices, nursing homes and more."
"Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs are encouraged to interact with a variety of people while they are on-duty including petting the therapy dog."
"By definition and tasks - a service dogs CANNOT be both a service dog and a therapy dog."
"Emotional Support Animals (or Comfort Animals) are often used as part of a medical treatment plan for emotional support, they are not considered service animals under the ADA. These support animals provide companionship, relieve loneliness, and sometimes help with depression, anxiety, and certain phobias, but do not have special training to perform tasks that assist people with disabilities."
"Emotional Support Animals DO NOT have public access rights like service dogs."
Sources: https://www.therapydogs.com/difference-therapy-dog-vs-service-dog/; https://adata.org/publication/service-animals-booklet; https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm