What is the key difference between a therapy dog and a service dog?

The key difference between a therapy dog and a service dog lies in the roles and training of these animals. A therapy dog is specifically trained to provide comfort and support to multiple individuals, often in settings such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. Their primary function is to promote emotional well-being and offer companionship.

In contrast, a service dog is trained to perform specific tasks that assist an individual with a disability, such as guiding a person who is visually impaired or alerting someone with hearing loss to sounds. The emphasis on the service dog's role is on providing direct aid to their handler rather than social interaction with the public.

While it may seem that the description in the answer implies that a service dog is trained to focus solely on its owner, the underlying concept of service dog training is more complex. Service dogs are indeed trained to assist their handlers in various scenarios, which may require them to be attentive to their environment, but they also need to remain focused on their tasks.

Thus, the correct understanding of this distinction is crucial for recognizing the specific roles and legal recognition. For instance, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides strict definitions and rights for service dogs that do not apply to therapy dogs, which is important in different social and legal contexts