Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) – The involvement of an animal for therapeutic or support purposes. (Therapy Dogs at schools are involved in AAA)

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Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) – All activities involving animals in the support or therapy of humans.

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Canine Good Citizen (CGC) – A certification issued by the American Kennel Club that signifies a dog and its handler are obedient, well-mannered and highly socialized in all situations. CGC is usually a prerequisite for Therapy Dog Certification but not always mandatory. In addition, a CGC certified dog cannot act as a therapy dog without therapy dog certification.

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Emotional Support Dogs – Emotional support dogs provide support and companionship to one particular person. They are not trained to work with specific disabilities but provide support to humans with anxiety and emotional issues. Although they do not have specific protections under the ADA, emotional support dogs can live in residences with owners under specific guidelines.

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Handler – This is the human in the therapy dog team. The handler must be attuned to the dog’s behaviors and needs throughout any therapy visit.

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Service Dogs -- Service dogs are individually trained to work and perform tasks for a person with a disability. ADA requirements allow service dogs to enter all public places when they are with their handler.

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Team – The therapy dog and handler are one team. They are trained and registered to work together as a team without substitution.

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Therapy Dogs – Therapy dogs bring emotional support at facilities, such as hospitals, retirement homes, schools, mental health institutions. The dogs work as a team with a human handler, usually the dog’s owner. Petting therapy dogs is good. Therapy dogs must be trained, tested and registered.