Tasks for Service Dogs

Service dogs are trained to help people with certain disabilities cope with daily life. They can perform the tasks that their handlers are incapable of because of their disability. Service dogs' tasks include things that keep their handlers safe, help them respond to surroundings and even call for help. They have become a great choice for people who have disabilities but still want the freedom of living independently.

  1. Guide Dogs

    • Guide dogs, commonly known as seeing-eye dogs, act as eyes for someone who is visually impaired. They undergo rigorous training to recognize potential dangers for their companions. Outside the home, they will assist their companions in walking safely through traffic, alerting them to hazards along the way. Inside they can alert their handlers to doors and objects in their way as they are walking, as well as other potential hazards.

    Hearing Dogs

    • Another highly trained service dog is one for the hearing impaired. These dogs are trained to recognize the sound of the telephone, the doorbell, smoke or carbon monoxide alarms and alarm clocks. Based on the sound they hear, they will alert their handlers accordingly so that they may respond to the sound.

    Mobility Assistance Dogs

    • Mobility assistance dogs are trained to assist physically disabled people. They can push a button to open a wheelchair access door, pick up an object and bring it to their handlers, turn a light switch on or off and other small but helpful tasks. Larger breeds can be harnessed to a wheelchair to pull it, if necessary. Mobility assistance dogs can also be trained to assist a person in walking because they provide balance and assistance if the handler has fallen.

    Seizure Alert and Response Dogs

    • Less common service dogs include seizure alert and response dogs, as well as psychiatric service dogs. Seizure alert dogs are trained to recognize when their handlers are having a seizure and will either stay with them or get help. They may also remove any potentially dangerous objects near the person. To get help, they may bark if someone is near or they can be trained to push a button on a phone or other device to alert someone.

    Psychiatric Service Dogs

    • Psychiatric service dogs can assist people with many different mental disabilities, including autism. These specialized dogs can alert a person of repetitive behaviors and especially potentially dangerous repetitive behaviors. They also provide companionship when handlers are showing signs of worry or anxiety, and they get help if handlers are showing signs of emotional distress.