Emotional Support Animal Glossary

ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act. Titles II and III contain the federal service-animal rules used by state and local governments and public accommodations. Title I covers employment and uses a broader reasonable-accommodation process rather than the same public-access test.

Assistance animal

A term used in housing and other disability contexts. Its meaning depends on the statute, regulation, agency guidance, or program. Do not assume it always means a service dog or always includes an untrained ESA.

Direct threat

A significant risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by a reasonable accommodation. The analysis should use objective evidence about the particular person or animal rather than stereotypes.

Emotional support animal (ESA)

An animal whose presence provides disability-related emotional support to a particular person. An ESA is not a service animal under ADA Titles II or III unless the animal independently meets the service-animal definition.

Fair Housing Act (FHA or FHAct)

The federal law that prohibits specified forms of housing discrimination, including disability discrimination. In this site, FHA means the Fair Housing Act, not the Federal Housing Administration.

FHEO

HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. FHEO receives and investigates reports involving the Fair Housing Act and certain other civil-rights laws. Its May 22, 2026 memorandum states HUD's current enforcement approach to animal-accommodation complaints under the Fair Housing Act.

Fundamental alteration

A change that would alter the essential nature of a program, service, or operation. The exact test depends on the law and setting.

Reasonable accommodation

A change or exception to a rule, policy, practice, service, or environment that may be needed to give a person with a disability equal opportunity. Reasonableness and necessity are usually evaluated from the specific facts.

Reasonable cause

In HUD's administrative process, a determination that there is reasonable cause to believe discrimination occurred. It is not the same as a final court judgment.

Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It prohibits disability discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. It may apply to federally funded housing and colleges even when another legal route is uncertain.

Service animal

Under ADA Titles II and III, generally a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks directly related to a person's disability. Miniature horses receive separate reasonable-modification consideration.

Therapy animal

An animal that participates with a handler in visits or structured services intended to benefit other people. The role does not create general ADA public-access rights.

Undue burden and undue hardship

Terms used in disability law for accommodations that would cause excessive difficulty or expense. The wording and factors vary by statute and setting, so the terms should not be used interchangeably without checking the governing law.

ADA