From guiding the visually impaired to detecting seizures before they happen, service dogs are not just pets—they’re working heroes. Today, you will learn about the different types of service dogs and the valuable roles they play in supporting individuals with a wide variety of disabilities.

Guide Dogs

Often the first type of service dog that comes to mind, guide dogs are trained to assist visually impaired or blind individuals.

• Training: Guide dogs undergo rigorous training to learn how to navigate obstacles, stop at curbs, and lead their handler safely through traffic.
• Breeds: The most commonly used breeds for this role are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds.

Hearing Dogs

Hearing dogs are a lifeline for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals, alerting them to sounds such as doorbells, alarm clocks, or fire alarms.

• Training: These dogs are trained to physically touch their handler and lead them to the source of the sound.
• Breeds: Breeds that excel in this role include Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Cocker Spaniels.

Mobility Assistance Dogs

Mobility assistance dogs are trained to help individuals with physical disabilities, performing tasks such as opening doors, retrieving items, or pushing buttons on elevators.

• Training: These dogs are trained to assist with a variety of tasks, depending on the specific needs of their handler.
• Breeds: Breeds commonly used for this work include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Poodles.

Medical Alert Dogs

Medical alert dogs are trained to detect and respond to medical emergencies, such as seizures, diabetic lows, or panic attacks.

• Training: These dogs are trained to recognize the onset of a medical event and to alert their handler, often by getting their attention through physical contact.
• Breeds: A wide variety of breeds can be trained for medical alert work, depending on the specific needs of the handler.

Psychiatric Service Dogs

Psychiatric service dogs assist individuals with mental health disorders, providing comfort during anxiety attacks, interrupting self-harming behaviors, or providing a sense of safety and security.

• Training: These dogs are trained to perform specific tasks that help mitigate their handler’s psychiatric disability.
• Breeds: Any breed that can be trained to perform the necessary tasks can be a psychiatric service dog, but Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are commonly used.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the difference between a service dog and a therapy dog?

2. Therapy dogs provide comfort and support in settings such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for an individual with a disability.

3. Can any dog become a service dog?

4. Potentially, yes. However, the dog must be able to be trained to perform a specific task that assists with the handler’s disability.

5. How long does it take to train a service dog?

6. It can take anywhere from six months to two years to fully train a service dog, depending on the specific task they need to learn.

7. Do service dogs ever get time off?

8. Yes, service dogs are not working all the time. They have time each day for play and relaxation.

9. Can service dogs go anywhere?

10. Generally, service dogs are allowed to go anywhere their handler goes, including places where pets are not typically allowed, like restaurants or on airplanes.