service animal

[sur-vis an-uh-muhl]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of service animal¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Otherwise, the script prunes the couple’s legal battle down to one scene with Ivy’s viperous lawyer, played by Allison Janney, who brings a rottweiler to the showdown and claims it’s her service animal.

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The man is DJ Swagrman, an L.A.-based artist, musician and social media influencer, and his internet-famous dog is Swaggy Wolfdog, a 9-year-old service animal — and he says they’ve both been banned from Dodger Stadium after riding around the parking lot area.

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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?

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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.

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The 4-year-old Brodie is a service animal who is trained to behave well in any circumstances.

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