Which type of animal is commonly used as a service animal according to ADA standards?

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are specifically defined as dogs that are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities. These tasks must be directly related to the person's disability. The ADA does not recognize any other types of animals, such as cats, horses, or rats, as service animals. Therefore, dogs are the only species that meet the legal criteria to be classified as service animals. This distinction emphasizes the specialized training dogs undergo to assist individuals and highlights the importance of this training in providing necessary support for those with various disabilities.