The assistance animal industry involves a wide range of professionals, organisations, legal systems and communities, resulting in variation in terminology and definitions. Terms such as assistance animal, assistance dog, service dog, therapy animal, facility dog, emotional support animal and companion animal are sometimes used interchangeably despite representing different roles, responsibilities and expectations.

Clear terminology is essential because language influences:

• professional communication;
• public understanding;
• funding and recognition processes;
• legal interpretation;
• expectations placed upon animals and handlers.

Within contemporary professional practice, terminology should describe the actual role and function of the animal, rather than simply applying labels based on assumptions, personal preference or informal usage.

The preferred umbrella term within this credential is assistance animal, as it provides an inclusive and function-based description of animals that support people with disability.

Assistance Animals are part of the Animal-assisted services (AAS) Industry. This industry uses human–animal interactions to help people feel better, cope with challenges and learn. These services are delivered by professionals qualified to work alongside an animal, such as a therapist, counsellor, or social worker. 

The Preferred Term: Assistance Animal as an Inclusive Concept

The term assistance animal is preferred because it recognises that assistance roles may involve:

• different species;
• different breeds;
• different disability groups;
• different assistance tasks;
• different pathways into training and placement.

Contemporary literature, including Howell et al. (2022), supports the use of inclusive terminology that recognises the diversity of assistance animal partnerships.

Similarly, Australian legislation, including the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (DDA), adopts an inclusive approach to assistance animals rather than restricting recognition to a single species, breed or disability category.

The use of the term assistance animal reflects an important principle:

An assistance animal is defined by its role, function and relationship with a person with disability, not simply by the type of animal or disability involved.

Assistance Animal: An Inclusive Rather Than Exclusionary Concept

Historically, assistance animal terminology has often focused primarily on dogs, particularly guide dogs and mobility assistance dogs. While dogs remain the predominant assistance animal species due to their trainability, social communication abilities and adaptability, contemporary practice recognises that assistance animals should not be defined solely by species.

An inclusive approach recognises that assistance animals may include:

• dogs;
• miniature horses;
• cats;
• parrots
• and, in specific circumstances, other suitable species.

However, inclusion does not mean that every species, breed or individual animal is automatically suitable for assistance work.

Suitability must always be determined through evidence-based assessment considering:

• temperament;
• health;
• welfare;
• trainability;
• environmental demands;
• safety;
• the needs of the person.

An inclusive approach removes unnecessary exclusion while maintaining professional standards.

Assistance Animals Across Disability Groups

Another important aspect of inclusive terminology is recognising that assistance animals may support people across diverse disability experiences.

Assistance animals may support people with:

• sensory disabilities;
• physical disabilities;
• neurological conditions;
• autism;
• psychosocial disabilities;
• cognitive disabilities;
• medical conditions;
• acquired disabilities.

The term assistance animal avoids the assumption that assistance animals are only relevant to particular groups, such as people who are blind or physically disabled.

Contemporary practice recognises that disability support should be based on:

• functional impact;
• occupational goals;
• individual circumstances;
• evidence-informed assessment.

A diagnosis alone does not determine whether an assistance animal is appropriate.

Defining an Assistance Animal

An assistance animal is an animal that has been trained to perform tasks  that supports a person with disability and reduces disability-related barriers.

Key characteristics include:

• supporting an individual person;
• performing trained behaviours or tasks;
• contributing to functional outcomes;
• being suitable for the role;
• participating in an ongoing human–animal partnership.

The important distinction is that assistance animals provide purposeful disability-related support, rather than simply companionship or emotional benefit.

For example:

A therapy or companion dog may provide comfort and companionship to a person experiencing anxiety.

An assistance dog may be trained to perform specific tasks such as interrupting harmful behaviours, supporting routines, retrieving medication or assisting with transitions.

Both relationships are valuable, but they represent different roles.

Under Australian law, only Assistance Animals have public access rights to accompany their handler into non-pet-friendly areas in the community. Therapy animals are treated as pets under companion animal laws.

Assistance Animals Versus Companion Animals

Companion animals are animals whose primary role is companionship and the human–animal relationship. They are also known as pets.

Companion animals may provide significant benefits including:

• emotional connection;
• routine;
• comfort;
• social interaction;
• motivation;
• improved wellbeing.

The human–animal bond with companion animals can be deeply meaningful and clinically relevant.

However, a companion animal does not automatically become an assistance animal because:

• the person has a disability;
• the animal provides emotional comfort;
• the person feels safer with the animal;
• the animal is well behaved.

An assistance animal requires additional considerations including:

• disability-related purpose;
• trained behaviours;
• suitability assessment;
• appropriate standards of care and management.

Assistance Animals Versus Therapy Animals

Therapy animals are animals that participate in structured programs designed to provide benefits to multiple people.

Unlike assistance animals, therapy animals generally do not live with and support one individual person with disability as their primary role.

Therapy animals may work alongside:

• psychologists;
• occupational therapists;
• educators;
• medical professionals;
• trained handlers.

They may operate in:

• hospitals;
• schools;
• aged care facilities;
• rehabilitation settings;
• community programs;
• private homes.

Therapy animals may support:

• engagement;
• communication;
• emotional wellbeing;
• social participation;
• motivation.

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)

Animal-Assisted Therapy is a goal-directed intervention delivered by a qualified allied health or medical professional where an animal is intentionally incorporated into a therapeutic process.

AAT may occur within disciplines such as:

• occupational therapy;
• psychology;
• counselling;
• speech pathology;
• physiotherapy;
• psychiatry
• rehabilitation.

The intervention is designed around identified goals and outcomes, with progress monitored as part of professional practice.

Examples may include:

• using an animal to support engagement in occupational therapy;
• facilitating communication goals;
• supporting emotional regulation;
• encouraging participation in rehabilitation activities.

The animal does not replace the therapist. Rather, the animal is incorporated as part of the therapeutic environment and intervention approach. WAFA refers to these teams as Professional Therapy Teams.

Animal-Assisted Learning (AAL)

Animal-Assisted Learning involves the intentional inclusion of animals within structured learning environments to support educational, developmental or skill-based outcomes.

Unlike Animal-Assisted Therapy, which is delivered as part of a therapeutic intervention, Animal-Assisted Learning focuses on supporting learning processes, engagement and educational outcomes.

Animal-Assisted Learning may occur across a range of settings, including:

• schools;
• universities;
• vocational education and training environments;
• literacy programs;
• disability education settings;
• community learning programs.

Examples of Animal-Assisted Learning may include:

• students reading to a dog to develop confidence, literacy skills and communication abilities;
• learners participating in animal care activities to develop responsibility, planning and practical skills;
• incorporating animal interaction to support classroom engagement, motivation and participation;
• using structured animal-based activities to develop social, emotional or vocational skills.

The animal is incorporated as a learning facilitator with the focus on supporting the learner’s educational goals, rather than providing disability-related assistance tasks to an individual person.

WAFA refers to community members visiting the therapy teams at their own premises as Therapy Facility Teams (TFT). For example, individuals attending equine therapy or equine assisted learning. This term does not apply to Professional Therapy Teams (ie. sessions led by allied or medical practitioners.

Where the animal remains resident at the property at all times and is attended to by one or more staff members, WAFA refers to this as a Community Facility Animal (CFA).  For example, a therapy cat residing in a nursing home. This term does not apply to Professional Therapy Teams (ie. sessions led by allied or medical practitioners.

Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA)

Animal-Assisted Activities are informal or semi-structured interactions designed to provide opportunities for wellbeing, enjoyment, motivation or social connection.

AAA may include:

• animal visits to hospitals;
• dentists having a support dog in their clinic;
• aged care visits;
• reading books to dogs;
• courtroom programs;
• community programs;
• wellbeing activities.

These interactions may support:

• social engagement;
• relaxation;
• enjoyment;
• companionship;
• quality of life.

Unlike AAT, AAA is not necessarily linked to specific therapeutic goals or delivered by a regulated health professional.

WAFA refers to teams who visit the community to provide support as Therapy Visitation Teams (TVT). For example, a therapy dog visiting a pre-school.

WAFA also recognises Personal Support Animals (PSA) as part of this category, as discussed below.

Assistance Animals Versus Emotional Support Animals (ESA)

The term Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is commonly used internationally, particularly in the United States.

An ESA generally refers to an animal that provides emotional comfort, companionship or psychological benefit through the relationship with the person, and in the USA laws prohibit discriminating against the handler of an ESA in housing applications.

The benefit is primarily associated with:

• companionship;
• attachment;
• comfort;
• emotional support;
• presence of the animal.

Unlike assistance animals, ESAs are not necessarily trained to perform disability-related tasks because the emotional support is primarily derived from the relationship with the animal.

Assistance animal support involves trained assistance connected to disability-related functional needs.

ESA are not recognised under Australian law in any respect, however, WAFA has elected to recognise these animals as Personal Support Animals. (PSA) This term was deliberately selected to include any breed or species providing support to a disabled individual within their home and/or animal-friendly locations. Unlike the term ESA, WAFA does not limit this support to companionship or emotional support. PSA may perform any number of tasks or supports for a disabled individual including any task that is not required to be performed in public spaces where pets are disallowed. This may include emptying the washing machine or providing deep pressure therapy at night. PSA do not have public access rights.

Australian Context and Emotional Support Animals

Professionals must be cautious when applying international terminology within Australia.

The term emotional support animal (ESA) does not carry the same legal meaning or public access rights as an assistance animal recognised under Australian law.

Therefore, professionals should avoid applying overseas terminology without considering:

• Australian legislation;
• relevant standards;
• evidence of training;
• functional purpose.

An animal can provide meaningful emotional support without being classified as an assistance animal.

Industry Terminology: Assistance Dog, Service Dog, Facility Dog and Visitation Dog

Assistance Dog

In Australia, assistance dog is commonly used to describe dogs trained to assist people with disability.

The term generally refers to dogs that:

• support an individual person;
• perform disability-related tasks;
• meet relevant assessment requirements.

The most historically recognised form of assistance dog is the vision assistance dog, commonly known as a guide dog. These dogs have traditionally supported people who are blind or vision impaired by assisting with navigation, environmental awareness and safe community participation. However, terminology within this area has evolved, and terms such as “Seeing Eye Dog” and “Guide Dog” have become associated with specific organisations or trademarked programs rather than representing the entire category of vision assistance dogs.

The use of organisation-specific terminology can unintentionally create division within the sector by implying that one provider, training model or service pathway represents all vision assistance dog programs. Contemporary practice therefore favours inclusive, functional terminology such as dog guide or vision assistance animal, which focuses on the role performed by the animal rather than the organisation that trained or provided it. This reflects the broader principle that assistance animal terminology should describe the function of the animal and remain inclusive of different providers, training pathways and human–animal partnerships.

Service Dog

Service dog is commonly used internationally, particularly in North America.

In many international contexts, service dog is the equivalent term for what is commonly called an assistance dog in Australia.

However, the term Service Dog may also be used interchangeably to refer to any dog who has a job, or dogs specifically working in the military or with first responders.

Professionals must consider jurisdiction because terminology does not always translate directly between countries.

Facility Dog

A facility dog is a trained dog working within an organisation or professional setting.

Facility dogs may work alongside:

• health professionals;
• educators;
• justice professionals;
• community services.

They support multiple people rather than one individual handler.

Their role may include supporting:

• engagement;
• communication;
• emotional regulation;
• participation.

Visitation Dog

A visitation dog generally participates in structured visits to provide social and emotional benefits.

Examples include:

• aged care visits;
• hospital visits;
• community programs.

The primary role is interaction and companionship rather than disability-related task assistance.

Working Dogs: The Broader Category

The term working dog includes many roles beyond assistance animals.

Working dogs may include:

• assistance dogs;
• detection dogs;
• police dogs;
• military dogs;
• search and rescue dogs;
• conservation dogs;
• agricultural dogs.

Therefore:

Assistance dogs represent one specialised category within the broader working animal industry. A guide dog, hearing dog or mobility assistance dog is a working dog because it performs a purposeful role supporting a person with disability. However, many working dogs perform entirely different functions, such as detection, search and rescue, policing, conservation or agricultural work. Understanding this distinction prevents the assumption that all working animals perform assistance roles and reinforces the importance of defining animals according to their actual purpose and function.

Working Animals Beyond Dogs

While dogs represent the most commonly recognised working animals within the assistance animal sector, the broader category of working animals extends across many species. A working animal is defined by the purpose it performs and the role it fulfils, rather than by species alone.

Humans have partnered with a wide range of animal species for specialised roles based on their natural abilities, sensory capabilities, behaviour, physical characteristics and trainability.

For example, dogs are widely used in working roles because of their exceptional ability to cooperate with humans, detect scents, learn complex behaviours and adapt to different environments. However, other species also perform valuable working roles.

Examples include:

• Rats have been trained for specialised detection work, including identifying landmines and detecting tuberculosis in some contexts. Their highly developed sense of smell, small size and ability to navigate difficult environments make them effective detection animals.
• Cats have historically performed working roles through natural behaviours such as rodent control. Cats working in barns, agricultural settings, warehouses, farms and commercial environments can assist with pest management by reducing rodent populations. Some businesses, including agricultural operations and produce storage environments, maintain working cats because of their practical contribution.
• Horses have historically supported transportation, agriculture and emergency services and continue to participate in roles such as mounted policing, conservation management and therapeutic programs.
• Birds, including some trained species, have been used for specialised tasks involving communication, observation or interaction.
• Marine mammals have historically been studied and, in some cases, trained for specialised research and defence-related purposes due to their advanced sensory and learning abilities.

The diversity of working animals demonstrates that the concept of a working animal is not restricted to companion species commonly seen in public. Different species possess different natural abilities that may be valuable when appropriately matched to a specific role.

However, the use of any species in a working role requires consideration of:

• whether the role is appropriate for that species;
• whether welfare needs can be met;
• whether training methods are ethical;
• whether the animal can perform the role safely and sustainably.

The principle of working animal practice is therefore not:

“Which animals can work?”

but rather:

“What species is biologically, behaviourally and ethically suited to this specific role?”

Why Terminology Matters in Professional Practice

Incorrect terminology may result in:

• inaccurate documentation;
• unrealistic expectations;
• inappropriate access claims;
• confusion between animal roles;
• welfare risks.

Professionals should describe:

• what the animal does;
• who the animal supports;
• what training has occurred;
• what evidence exists;
• what standards apply.

Labels should follow evidence, not replace it.

Key Practice Principle

The central question is not:

“What label does this animal have?”

The professional question is:

“What role does this animal perform, what evidence supports that role, and does the animal meet the requirements of that category?”

The term assistance animal provides an inclusive framework that recognises diversity across:

• species;
• breeds;
• disabilities;
• assistance roles;
• pathways.

However, inclusion must always be balanced with:

• evidence-based practice;
• animal welfare;
• public safety;
• professional accountability.