assistance dog

noun

: a dog trained to assist a person with a disability
Eight people with disabilities received their diplomas and, more importantly, their assistance dogs after completing a two-week training course.Karen Jones, New York Times, 6 June 2004

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of assistance dog was in 1979

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Cite this Entry

“Assistance dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assistance%20dog. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

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