What do you mean.. "what does a service dog (SD) do?"

In 2017 it amazes me how often people ask me “what does a service dog (SD) do?”, when Bello an I are out and about.  Basically, a service dog works. They have a job and he has learned enough skills and bonded with his handler in order to work on his own initiative without being given commands. In addition to particular working skills a SD also has many tasks he/she may perform throughout their day to help mitigate their handler’s illness/condition.

There are many different types of SD. Seizure Alert dogs can tell ahead of time when his handler is going to have a seizure. This type of SD gives a signal so his/her handler can call someone, take medications, or lie down to prevent injury. 

PTSD/Psychiatric dogs work in much the same way; indicating in advance of a panic attack, waking his/her handler from a nightmare or placing his/her weight across their handlers body.

Diabetes Alert Dogs use scent detection to identify a blood sugar drop or increase.

Mobility Assistance dogs help to steady their handlers, pick up dropped objects, bring objects to their handler, assist with dressing and undressing, carrying items, etc.

Hearing Assistance Dogs alert their handlers to sounds such as a person calling the handlers name, doorbells, phones ringing, knocking, smoke alarms, timers, babies crying, children calling handler, alarm clocks, etc. etc. They also help the handler move around in public by alerting to sirens, cars coming towards intersections, trains, etc.

Allergen Detection dogs do exactly what it sounds like. They alert their handlers to the presence of any allergen that may be in their food, or environment.

Seeing Eye dogs do just what it sounds like too. They help their handler in the world by being their eyes.

All SD’s must have appropriate public behavior. Like Bello, they must be able to execute the basic commands of sit, lie down, stay, come and heel.  In addition to the basic commands a SD should also learn commands that may be a stepping stone in the tasks/behaviors they perform to assist their handlers such as touch, stand, get______, take____, find_____, give_____, pull _____, open ____, shut ____, go, up, down, Paws up, that _____, leave it, excuse me/move, rug/blanket/square, wait, flip light, potty, phone, greet/say hello, leash, tuck tail, packs, shake, and eat to name a few common ones.  Some SD will learn many more commands than this and many will take initiative and begin performing behaviors they have reasoned on their own that help their handlers. These are just some of the common basics. 

As a dog develops reasoning abilities they will be more able to effectively carry out their jobs. For example my previous SD NaKoda learned that I disliked driving in heavy traffic and during trips would often sleep or at least lie in the seat next to me but the moment we were in heavy traffic NaKoda would sit up and move closer to me and put her paw on my leg and press her body against mine. I did not train her to do this but as our bond developed she added on to the things I had taught her and reasoned that this was a good task to keep us moving forward. 

Also, a SD stays with its handler 24/7. If the dog is not with the handler then the dog cannot perform its job.  A SD’s life is dedicated to and centers around his/her handler. For most person’s this is not an issue. Most of our families and friends understand and permit a handlers SD in their private homes but on occasions such as with me someone doesn’t allow animals in their homes such as my sister and my step dad.  These two persons do not understand the need or function of my SD and one of them do not believe SD are needed for particular situations.  In these situations I don’t visit or I only stay outside in short visits. On the rare occasion I have to go without my SD they don’t understand the stress this puts on me; often times creating episodes that could have been avoided with a little compassion but we don’t all come from perfect families and this is not a perfect world.