Which type of assistance animal must be permitted to accompany a patient everywhere within the dental office?

Correct answer: B. A service animal

• A. Self-designation does not confer ADA protection — the defining feature is task-specific training.
• B. Correct. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a SERVICE ANIMAL is a dog (or in limited cases a miniature horse) individually TRAINED TO PERFORM A SPECIFIC TASK directly related to the handler's disability. Service animals must be allowed into all areas where patients are normally permitted. Staff may only ask two questions: is the animal required because of a disability, and what task has it been trained to perform.
• C. Therapy animals visit facilities to provide comfort to others; they have no individual public-access right under the ADA.
• D. Emotional support animals provide comfort by their presence but are NOT individually trained to perform tasks, and the ADA does not grant them public-access rights.