The National Service Animals Memorial (NSAM) Corporation extends the definition of “service animal” to other species that are professionally trained and serve under arduous conditions, sometimes resulting in death when the duty is for safety or security as performed with law enforcement and/or the military. One case in point was a homing pigeon named “Cher Ami.” NSAM agrees with the formal ADA description that neither service nor working animals are pets.

Further, “A service animal must be under the control of its handler. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.” [2]

NSAM concurs that in almost all cases, service animals are under the direct control of a handler who directs their work whether they are a person with a disability, a K9 handler with law enforcement or search and rescue, as well as a police horse patrolling the streets of a city with its police officer, and others.

Reference: [U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, ADA for title II (State and local government services) and title III (public accommodations and commercial facilities) on September 15, 2010, in the Federal Register.]