With all of the recent headlines about traveling dogs in the new, we thought that it would be a good idea to explain what a service dog is and what are some of the tasks that they can do in order to help their handlers.
First of All a service dog is different from other Therapy and Emotional Support animals. While ESA and Therapy dogs need to be well behaved in public, Service dogs must also be able to perform specific tasks either automatically or when directed by their handler. Below is a list of behaviors or tasks that are acceptable for Service dogs to perform.
The behaviors in this list are purposely not arranged by disability, symptom, or condition. Every person’s situation presents differently and what mitigates one individual’s disability may not mitigate the same limitation for another person. Similarly, a specific behavior has the potential to mitigate a wide variety of disabilities.
Remember, in order for a dog to be considered a Service Dog under the ADA,the tasks that they perform must be directly related to and mitigate their disabled handler’s disabilities.
*Quite a few of these tasks involve an Alert. An Alert can be many different behaviors and it is important to consider that not all alert behaviors are appropriate for all situations (ex. barking in a library). When choosing an Alert behavior you should carefully think of all the places your Alert could occur and choose accordingly. Some possible alerts are: Nose Bumping Hands, Nose Bumping a Knee, Licking Hands, Pawing a Knee, Bowing, Spinning in Place, Resting Chin on a Knee, Retrieving a Bringsel, and many more…
Task List
- Alert Handler to Another Person or Child Crying/Calling/Yelling
- Alert Family Member
- Alert for Help
- Alert to Alarm
- Alert to Allergen in Food
- Alert to Allergen in the Area
- Alert to Approaching Car
- Alert to Car Horn
- Alert to Dangerous Medical Levels in the Body (Blood Pressure, Cortisol, etc) *It has not been scientifically proven that these can be trained.
- Alert to Doorbell/Knocking
- Alert to Handler’s Name
- Alert to Intruder
- Alert to Person Coming Up Behind
- Alert to Phone
- Alert to Seizure *It has not been scientifically proven that this can be trained.
- Alert to Siren
- Alert to Sounds
- Alert to Unheard Dropped Item
- Answer the Door
- Assist with Grounding
- Assist with Position Changes (Sitting to Standing, Laying to Sitting, etc)
- Assist with Transfers
- Avoid Moving Objects (while guiding)
- Block
- Block from Moving Towards Danger (busy road, away from home, etc)
- Bring a Note to Person
- Call 911 on a Dog-Friendly Phone
- Call Pre-Programmed Number on a Dog-Friendly Phone
- Call Suicide Hotline on a Dog-Friendly Phone
- Carry Grocery Bags
- Carry Purse
- Carry Items Up or Down Stairs
- Check the House
- Clean Up Items on the Floor (put in basket)
- Clean Up Trash on the Floor (put in wastebasket)
- Clear a Room (enter ahead of handler and check for intruders)
- Close Washer/Dryer (with paw or nose)
- Close Bathroom Stall Door
- Closing Doors (pulling closed with tug)
- Closing Doors (pushing closed with nose or paws)
- Counter-Balance
- Cover
- Crowd Control (circling)
- Crying Interruption/Response
- DPT (Deep Pressure Therapy)
- Deliver Credit Card or Money to a Cashier
- Deliver Items from Cashier to Handler
- Deliver Item to Person
- Drag Heavy Items to Specific Location
- Drag Laundry Basket
- Find Handler
- Find a Bathroom
- Find a Specific Person
- Find Assigned Seat (at school, work, etc)
- Find Elevator/Stairs/Escalator
- Find Empty Seat
- Find the Car
- Find Disabled Handler (runners, wanderers, lost handler)
- Flashback Interruption
- Follow Designated Person
- Forward Momentum (in a wheelchair)
- Forward Momentum (when walking)
- Go Find Help
- Guide Home
- Guide to an Exit
- Guide to Specific Item
- Guide to Specific Location
- Guide to Specific Person
- Guide to a Safe Place
- Guiding
- Help Sit Up if Slumped Over
- Help With Turning Over
- High Blood Sugar Alert
- Indicate Barrier (while guiding)
- Indicate Curbs (while guiding)
- Indicate Drop-Offs (while guiding)
- Indicate Stairs/Steps (while guiding)
- Interrupt Dissociation
- Interrupt Freezing Behavior
- Interrupt Harmful Behaviors
- Interrupt Panic/Anxiety Attack
- Interrupt Repetitive Behaviors
- Interrupt Scratching/Skin Picking
- Lead Around Ground Hazards (while guiding)
- Lead Around Low Hanging Items (while guiding)
- Lead Around Stationary Items (while guiding)
- Lick Face/Hands
- Low Blood Sugar Alert
- Medication Reminders
- Nightmare Interruption
- Open Sliding Door
- Open/Close Cabinet/Drawer
- Open/Close Dishwasher
- Open/Close Refrigerator
- Open/Close Bathroom Door
- Open Doors (handicapped button)
- Open Doors (pulling open using a tug)
- Open Doors (pushing open with nose or paws)
- Panic/Anxiety Alert
- Paws Up to Help With Putting on Dog Gear
- Provide Distraction
- Provide Excuse to Leave Uncomfortable Situation
- Provide Momentum Up Inclines
- Provide Momentum Up Stairs
- Provide Pressure on Chest to Produce Cough
- Pull Handler with Strap (to change positions)
- Pull and Hold Heavy Door
- Pull Blankets Off/On
- Pull Blinds/Curtains Closed/Open
- Push Floor Button to Turn on Lamp
- Push Paralyzed Limb Back into Place
- Refuse to Move Forward if Not Safe
- Remove Socks or Other Clothing
- Respond to Anxious Behaviors
- Retrieve Clothing Items (teach your dog to retrieve)
- Retrieve Dog Bowls
- Retrieve Dropped Items
- Retrieve Emergency Medication
- Retrieve Items When Pointed To
- Retrieve Juice/Gatorade/Etc
- Retrieve Mobility Aid (Wheelchair, Cane, Walker, etc)
- Retrieve Named Items
- Retrieve Phone
- Retrieve Purse/Wallet
- Retrieve Shoes
- Retrieve Tissue (when crying, sneezing, coughing)
- Retrieve Towel (after shower, bath)
- Retrieve TV Remote
- Retrieve Vest/Harness/Leash/Gear
- Retrieve Water to Take Medication
- Retrieve Item from Store Shelf
- Retrieve Mail or Newspaper
- Roll Handler Onto Their Side (by nudging, pulling clothing)
- Routine Reminders (feed dog, eat meals, go to sleep, etc)
- Tactile Stimulation
- Throw Away Trash
- Turn Off Lights (with paw, nose or teeth)
- Turn On Lights (with paw, nose or teeth)
- Unload Grocery Items
- Unload Items From the Washer or Dryer
- Wake Handler
- Watch My Back
- Wheelchair Pulling