NCSC. Service Animals and the Courts. 2016The ADA does not allow for emotional-support animals. Emotional-support animals that are used just for psychiatric support are different from a service animal, which helps “persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors” (28 CFR 35.104 Definitions). So, while a comfort dog that only provides emotional support is not allowed under the ADA, an animal that has been trained to perform specific tasks, including preventing epileptic seizures or interrupting behaviors that the individual has trouble controlling, is allowed. Examples of alert training might include nudging the person or walking around the person in a circle. However, even if an animal qualifies as a service animal, a public entity can ask them to leave if the animal is not housebroken or is out of control (28 C.F.R. §35.136).