What term describes an animal that provides support to someone with mental health issues but is not specially trained for tasks?

The term that describes an animal providing support to someone with mental health issues without specialized training for specific tasks is "emotional support animal." Emotional support animals play a vital role in contributing to the mental well-being of their owners. They provide companionship, alleviate feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, and can help with emotional stability.

Unlike service animals, which are specifically trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities, emotional support animals are not required to undergo specific training. They are recognized for their therapeutic benefits rather than performing specific tasks that assist with physical disabilities.

Therapy dogs, while beneficial in providing emotional support, are typically trained to offer comfort in settings such as hospitals or schools and do not directly assist a specific individual's needs in a residential context. Assistance animals is a broader term and may encompass a variety of animals that provide support, but the specific focus on emotional and mental health needs directly aligns with the role of an emotional support animal. Service animals are strictly defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as dogs that perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities, which does not encompass animals that provide general emotional support.