service animal

American  

[sur-vis an-uh-muhl] / ˈsɜr vɪs ˌæn ə məl /

noun

1. an animal that is specially trained and able to provide assistance to a person with a disability, such as guiding a blind person or assisting a person with epilepsy during and after a seizure.

---

Etymology

Origin of service animal

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

The Americans With Disabilities Act allows the staff to ask just two questions: Is the dog a service animal, required because of the owner’s disability?

From New York Times • May 16, 2024

Studies of the potential benefits of animal interactions often take a holistic approach, comparing people's mood or hormone levels before and after spending time with a service animal.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2024

The owner or handler of the animal is also not required have any kind of identification proving it is a service animal, according to the ADA National Network.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2023

If you see a dog jumping around a meat counter and pulling food to the ground in a grocery store, this may be an indication that this is not a service animal, she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2023

It is rhetoric in the leader of extempore prayer; studied inflexions in the conductor of liturgical service; animal excitement, or sentimental pensiveness, or assent which is merely vocal, among the worshippers.

From The Expositor's Bible: The Book of Exodus by Chadwick, G. A.