No, a service animal does not have to perform a task, but it should have IAADP Minimum Training Standards for Public Access (How a cat can get this is beyond me.)
1. Amount of Schooling: Your dog should be given a minimum of one hundred twenty (120) hours of schooling over a period of Six Months or more. At least thirty (30) hours should be devoted to outings that will prepare the dog to work obediently and unobtrusively in public places.*
2. Obedience Training: Your dog must master the basic obedience skills: "Sit, Stay, Come, Down, Heel" and an off leash Recall in response to verbal commands and/or hand signals.
3. Manners: Your dog must acquire proper social behavior skills. This includes at a minimum:
No aggressive behavior toward people or other animals - no biting, no snapping, no growling, no lunging and/or barking; No begging for food or petting from other people; No sniffing merchandise or people who pass by; No urinating or defecating in public unless given a command / signal to toilet in an appropriate place.
1. Amount of Schooling: Your dog should be given a minimum of one hundred twenty (120) hours of schooling over a period of Six Months or more. At least thirty (30) hours should be devoted to outings that will prepare the dog to work obediently and unobtrusively in public places.*
2. Obedience Training: Your dog must master the basic obedience skills: "Sit, Stay, Come, Down, Heel" and an off leash Recall in response to verbal commands and/or hand signals.
3. Manners: Your dog must acquire proper social behavior skills. This includes at a minimum:
No aggressive behavior toward people or other animals - no biting, no snapping, no growling, no lunging and/or barking;
No begging for food or petting from other people;
No sniffing merchandise or people who pass by;
No urinating or defecating in public unless given a command / signal to toilet in an appropriate place.