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.

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Etymology

Origin of service animal

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.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2025

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

A service animal differs from a pet dog because its trained to help their owner, or handler, who has a disability with physical tasks, Garrett 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.