Service Dog Tasks

Below is an extensive yet non non-exhaustive list of tasks service dogs can be taught to preform

Alerts

• Alerting Family Members

• Alert Handler to Another Person or Child Crying/Calling/Yelling

• Alerting for Help

• Alerting to Alarms

• Alert to Allergen in Food

• Alert to Allergen in the Area

• Alerting to Approaching Car

• Alert to Car Horn

• Alerting to Changes in the Body

• Alert to Doorbell/Knocking

• Alerting to Handler’s Name Being Called

• Alert to Intruder

• Alerting to Person Coming Up Behind

• Alert to Phone

• Alerting to Seizures

• Alert to Siren

• Alerting to Sounds

• Alert to Unheard Dropped Item

Interaction

• Bring a Note to a Person

• Crowd Control

• Deliver a Credit Card or Money to a Cashier

• Delivering Items from Cashier to Handler

• Deliver Item to Person

• Find a Specific Person

• Follow a Designated Person

• Go Find Help

Guiding

• Avoid Moving Objects

• Guide Home

• Guide to an Exit

• Guiding to Specific Item

• Guide to Specific Location

• Guide to Specific Person

• Guiding to a Safe Place

• Indicate Barrier

• Indicating Curbs

• Indicate Drop-Offs

• Indicate Stairs/Steps

• Lead Around Ground Hazards

• Leading Around Low Hanging Items

• Lead Around Stationary Items

• Refuse to Move Forward if Not Safe

Retrieval

• Retrieve Clothing Items

• Retrieving Dog Bowls

• Retrieve Dropped Items

• Retrieve Emergency Medication

• Retrieving Items When Pointed To

• Retrieve Beverage

• Retrieve Mobility Aid

• Retrieving Named Items

• Retrieve Phone

• Retrieve Purse/Wallet

• Retrieving Shoes

• Retrieve Tissue

• Retrieve Towel

• Retrieving TV Remote

• Retrieve Vest/Harness/Leash/Gear

• Retrieving Item from Store Shelf

• Retrieve Mail or Newspaper

Mobility and Stability

• Assist with Grounding

• Assisting with Position Changes

• Assist with Transfers

• Counter-Balance

• Forward Momentum in a wheelchair

• Forward Momentum when Walking

• Provide Momentum Up Inclines

• Provide Momentum Up Stairs

• Pull Handler with Strap to Change Positions

• Wheelchair Pulling

• Answer the Door

Personal Actions

• Clean out a person’s mouth (e.g. vomit, etc.)

• Cover

• Crying Interruption/Response

• Deep Pressure Therapy

• Find Disabled Handler

• Flashback Interruption

• Help Sit Up if Slumped Over

• Help With Turning Over

• Interrupt Dissociation

• Interrupting Freezing Behavior

• Interrupt Harmful Behaviors

• Interrupting Panic/Anxiety Attack

• Interrupt Repetitive Behaviors

• Interrupt Scratching/Skin Picking

• Tactile Stimulation

• Medication Reminders

• Nightmare Interruption

• Panic/Anxiety Alert

• Paws Up to Help With Putting on Dog Gear

• Provide Distraction

• Providing Excuse to Leave

• Provide Pressure on the Chest to Produce Cough

• Push Paralyzed Limb Back into Place

• Remove Socks or Other Clothing

• Roll Handler Onto Their Side

• Routine Reminders

• Wake Handler

Environment Actions

• Block approaching persons/animals, etc.

• Block from Moving Towards Danger

• Call 911 on a Dog-Friendly Phone

• Dial Pre-Programmed Number on a Dog-Friendly Phone

• Call Suicide Hotline on a Dog-Friendly Phone

• Carry Grocery Bags

• Carry Purse

• Carrying Items Up or Down Stairs

• Check the House

• Clean Up Items on the Floor

• Clean-Up Trash on the Floor

• Clear a Room

• Closing Washer/Dryer

• Close Bathroom Stall Door

• Closing Doors

• Closing Doors

• Drag Heavy Items to Specific Location

• Drag Laundry Basket

• Find a Bathroom

• Find Assigned Seat

• Finding Elevator/Stairs/Escalator

• Find Empty Seat

• Find the Car

• Open Sliding Door

• Open/Close Cabinet/Drawer

• Open/Close Dishwasher

• Opening/Closing Refrigerator

• Open/Close Bathroom Door

• Open Doors

• Pull and Hold Heavy Door

• Pulling Blankets Off/On

• Pull Blinds/Curtains Closed/Open

• Push Floor Button to Turn on Lamp

• Throw Away Trash

• Turn Off Lights

• Turn On Lights

• Unload Grocery Items

• Unload Items From the Washer or Dryer

• Watch My Back