service animals:

The agricultural lifestyle of the Romans required the service of a variety of animals. Most service animals worked in fields or were used for travel.

Primary service animals in Ancient Rome included:

• horses- Horses served as mounts for riders on journeys, hunting trips and at war. They pulled chariots, carriages and carts and were also used as pack animals.
• oxen- Oxen often pulled chariots, carriages and carts, but were most useful for plowing and working with reaping machines.
• elephants- Although used only rarely, elephants were used as mounts for riders on journeys,draft animals and to pull chariots, carriages and carts.
• donkeys- Donkeys were widely used as pack animals and as power sources for mills.
• lions- Because of their religious significance, lions pulled carts and chariots for important people on special occasions.
• tigers- Tigers occasionally pulled carts or chariots for important people on special occasions.
• mules- Mules were bred for use as mounts for riders on journeys, pack animals and draft animals, and their ability to pull chariots, carriages and carts.
• camels- Bactrian(2 humps) and dromedary (1 hump) camels were used as pack animals.
• dogs- Sheep dogs were valued for protecting sheep from wolves. They also served as watchdogs, hunting aids, and were occasionally put in harnesses to pull carts and chariots.

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