Direct answer
What does Assistance animal mean?
An animal that works, provides assistance or performs tasks, or provides disability-related emotional support under applicable housing rules.
Exam cue: An assistance animal is not evaluated only under a housing provider's ordinary pet rules.
What does it look like in a question?
New York example
A tenant requests a no-pet-policy exception for a disability-related assistance animal.
Common exam trap
What should you not confuse it with?
An assistance animal in housing is not necessarily a trained service dog and is not simply a pet.
Related fair housing terms
Sources used4 references with section locators
The curriculum citation confirms exam scope. Definition and rule citations support the explanation itself. Links and locators were checked on August 26, 2026.
- Real Estate Salesperson 77-Hour CurriculumNew York State Department of StateSupports: Exam scopeSection: Subject 9, Human Rights and Fair Housing
- Fair Housing Protections Under the New York State Human Rights LawNew York State Division of Human RightsSupports: New York ruleSection: Protected characteristics and prohibited housing practices
- Fair Housing Act OverviewU.S. Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentSupports: Federal ruleSection: Federal Fair Housing Act overview
- Assistance AnimalsU.S. Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentSupports: Federal ruleSection: Definition, housing-provider obligations and examples
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