Which of the following best describes an assistance animal?

An assistance animal encompasses a broader range of roles than merely being a trained service animal. It includes both those animals that are specifically trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities and those that provide emotional support.

Trained animals perform specific tasks related to a person’s disability, such as guiding individuals who are visually impaired or alerting individuals who are hearing impaired. On the other hand, emotional support animals may offer companionship and alleviate emotional distress but are not necessarily trained to perform specific tasks.

By recognizing that both categories fall under the umbrella of assistance animals, this option captures the full scope of what constitutes an assistance animal as defined by laws like the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This distinction is crucial in understanding the rights and regulations associated with assistance animals, particularly in housing and public accommodation contexts.