egyptian service animals:

Service animals were often used as beasts of burden or pack animals on long journeys. Most commonly, however, service animals were used for doing agriculture. These animals were domesticated and bred by the Egyptians and were kept in herds. The animal husbandry skills of the ancient Egyptians was exceptional.

Common service animals included:

• donkey- The Egyptians' principle beast of burden, the donkey worked in agricultural fields, transporting heavy bundles of cut grain from the field to the threshing floor. The ancient Egyptians are believed to be the first in the world to domesticate the donkey. Donkeys were ridden rarely, perhaps by royalty or foreign visitors, but often used as pack animals for long-distance travel.
• dromedary- (one humped camel)-This beast of burden contributed to the establishment of long-distance trade routes by enabling human habitation in uninhabitable areas. Its services as a draft animal were irreplaceable.
• hinny- Hinnies, the offspring of male horse and female donkey (not a mule, which would be the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse) were used to pull chariots and harvest fieldwork. They were the "poor" man's horse.
• horse- A noble creature, the horse was looked upon with great affection. Owning a horse was symbol of prestige and pride because of their high cost. Common owners included kings, aristocrats and military officials. They were often used to pull two-wheeled chariots. Horses were ridden very rarely, and then only by royalty or honored individuals. Horses became a source of income for Egypt later in its history, as they were bred and exported to neighboring countries.
• oxen- Oxen were used to draw wheeled vehicles and perform agricultural duties.
• pig- The pig was an asset to farmers, who used them to tread seed into the ground at planting time.
• sheep- The sheep was also used to tread seed into the ground at planting time. In addition, the sheep was invaluable on the threshing floor. They would be set loose on the floor to tread out ripe grain.

Animals were also important for religion, hunted game, pets and food. Other animals of Egypt are described here.