What defines a 'service animal' under ACAA regulations?

A 'service animal,' as defined under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), refers specifically to dogs that are individually trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities. This definition emphasizes the requirement that these dogs are trained to assist with specific tasks that relate directly to the person’s disability. Tasks might include guiding individuals who are visually impaired, alerting individuals who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person with a seizure disorder, or performing other duties that help mitigate the effects of a disability.

The focus is on the actions the animal has been trained to perform rather than the type of support they might provide (such as emotional support). This distinction is crucial, as it sets service animals apart from therapy animals or emotional support animals, which do not receive the same legal recognition and rights under the ACAA. Therefore, the correct answer aligns with the ACAA's strict criteria, reinforcing the specific role of service dogs rather than a broader interpretation that could include emotional support or therapy roles.