Is an assistance animal considered therapeutic if it only performs tricks?

An assistance animal is not considered therapeutic if it merely performs tricks. These animals are specifically trained to assist individuals with disabilities by providing necessary support or performing tasks that alleviate their symptoms. The primary role of an assistance animal is to serve a functional purpose, such as guiding a visually impaired person or alerting a person with hearing impairments to sounds.

While performing tricks can be a pleasing and entertaining behavior, it does not equate to the therapeutic functions that assistance animals are designed to provide. The intention behind designating an animal as an assistance animal is to ensure that it meets specific criteria set forth by laws such as the Fair Housing Act, which focuses on the support animals render to their owners in managing their disabilities. Thus, if the animal only performs tricks and does not assist in coping with a documented disability, it does not meet the necessary qualifications to be classified as a therapeutic assistance animal.