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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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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

There are limits to where a service animal can be, Garrett said.

From Los Angeles Times Oct. 3, 2023

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

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.

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