Working Animal describes animal personas — most prominently the Pony, but also service-oriented Pups and similar figures — whose scenes and dynamics are organised around a task: pulling a cart, carrying a load, performing a routine, executing commands. Working Animal frames emphasise discipline, competence, endurance and the satisfaction of skilled labour.

The Working Animal register is especially strong in Ponyplay, which draws heavily on equestrian traditions of dressage, driving and show work.

As with Companion Animal, the term is descriptive. Many dynamics mix companionship, ceremony and task, and communities differ on how strictly the categories are separated.