100+ Examples of Service Dog Tasks

Most people know Service Dogs help people who have physical, psychiatric, or developmental disabilities. Few people can describe a Service Dog’s work, though. Here are 100 examples of Service Dog tasks.

** Note: This list is not comprehensive. It merely provides an overview of some of the available Service Dog tasks a trained Service Animal can learn. **

General Service Dog Tasks

General Service Dog tasks can be performed by any type of Service Dog, although some types of Service Dogs, such as Medical Assistance Dogs or Wheelchair Assistance Dogs, may perform these tasks more regularly. Keep in mind that any Service Dog can be trained for any task that mitigates their disabled handler’s disability. Many Service Dogs are cross trained or trained for multiple purposes.

Retrieving Dropped Items
Retrieving Named Items (Phone, Keys, Leash)
Opening Doors
Closing Doors
Holding Doors Open So Handler Can Pass Through
Opening Door to Allow EMS Entry to Home
Opening Cabinets
Closing Cabinets
Opening Drawers
Closing Drawers
Opening Fridge
Closing Fridge
Tugging Clothing to Help With Removal (Outerwear, Socks)
Turning Lights On
Turning Lights Off
Deposit Garbage Into Can
Carry Mail From Mailbox to House
Drop Recycling Into Bin
Put Items Onto Countertop

Medical & Alert Service Dog Tasks

Medical and Alert Service Dog tasks can take many forms. Medical Assistance Dogs, Medical Response Dogs, and Medical Alert Dogs serve people with all kinds of disabilities. Their disabilities may affect their mobility or ability to remain safe in their every day environment. Their dog responds to specific commands, events, or triggers from the handler or in the environment by performing a specific, trained series of behaviors. You can learn more about trained behaviors versus natural behaviors here.

Laying Across the Chest of a Seizing Handler to Help Reduce Duration of Seizure
Nuzzling or Licking a Seizing Handler to Provide Tactile Interruption of a Seizure
Alerting Handler to Repetitive Motions or Stimming
Retrieving Glucose Kit From Fridge
Retrieving Medication From Designated Spot
Fetch a Beverage or Snack From Designated Spot
Bring Phone to Handler
Unload Groceries From Sacks
Put Laundry Into Washer or Dryer or Basket
Remove Laundry from Washer or Dryer or Basket
Pulling Wheelchair
Momentum Assistance
Dragging Walker or Chair or Assistance Device to Handler
Dragging Baskets or Bags of Laundry via Tug Strap
Carrying Books or Supplies in a Backpack
Alerting Caretaker to Unconsciousness
Alerting Caretaker to Lack of Breathing
Alerting Caretaker to Alarms from Medical Equipment
Calling 911 or Designated Emergency Person via K9 Safety Phone
Draping Along Body of Handler to Assist With Temperature Regulation
Alerting Handler to Low Blood Sugar
Alerting Handler to High Blood Sugar
Alerting Handler or Caretaker to Presence of Deadly Allergen
Delivering Messages From Handler to Someone Else
Alerting to Metabolic Deterioration
Get Items off Grocery Shelf
Place Items into Cart
Carry Items in a Bucket
Carry Bags in From Store
Pay For Items in a Store
Deliver Receipt From Cashier to Handler
Pull a Cord to Open Curtains

Brace and Mobility Support Service Dog Tasks

Brace and Mobility Support Dogs assist people who are unable to move, balance, walk, and/or regain stability by themselves. People requiring brace work or mobility tasks may or may not be ambulatory.

Assist a Handler With Position Changes (like sitting to standing)
Assist Handler With Transfers from Chair to Couch
Assist Handler With Transfers from Bed to Feet / Chair
Assists Handler In and Out of Pool
Pull Blanket Up Once Handler is in Bed
Pull Blanket Off Once Handler is Ready to Get Up
Assist With Making Bed
Help Handler Into Bathtub or Shower
Help Handler Out of Bathtub or Shower
Provide Momentum Assistance
Help Pull Handler Up Slopes
Counterbalance
Bracing During Walking
Bracing During Balance Loss
Bracing Up or Down Stairs
Bracing To Help Fallen Handler Regain Feet
Down to Stand Transitions (Handler Drapes Across Back With Dog in Down, Dog Stands so Handler Can Start to Shift Off Floor)
Turns Over Fallen Handler Who Can’t Breathe on Back/Stomach
Nudges Hand or Foot Back onto Chair Rest
Pushes Leaning Handler Back to Center
Push Button to Open Doors

Visual Assistance & Guide Service Dog Tasks

So called “guide dogs” are actually a type of Visual Assistance Dog. Visual Assistance Dogs (leader dogs, dogs for the blind) help their handler follow known paths while alerting to elevation changes, obstacles, and hazards.

Lead Handler Along Familiar Route
Take Handler to Specific Entrances
Alert Handler to Low-Hanging Obstacles
Alert Handler to Elevation Changes
Alert Handler to Street or Intersection
Assist Handler in Finding Known Items
Notify Handler of Items in Path
Guide Handler Around Hazards (Open Manhole Cover)
Avoiding Moving Objects (Bikes, Skateboards, etc.)
Indicate Stairs, Steps, or Ramps
Find an Empty Seat
Find the Elevators
Follow a Person (Waiter, Hostess, Clerk)
Pick Up Common Items (Newspaper in Driveway)
Take Handler to an Exit
Push Elevator Button

Hearing Service Dog Tasks

Hearing Dogs assist handlers who have varying degrees of hearing loss in one or both ears. “Dogs For the Deaf” are a specific type of hearing dog, from a specific school.

Alert Handler to Specific, Trained Environmental Sounds (Alarm Clock, Knocking, Baby Crying)
Alert Handler to Name Being Called
Alert Handler to Unnoticed Dropped Items
Alert Handler to People Waiting to be Noticed
Alert Handler to Fire Alarm or Emergency Sirens
Alert Handler to Car Approaching From Behind
Alert to Arrival of Bus
Alert to Bells in Educational Setting
Alert to Overhead Announcements
Family Member Sends Dog to Find and Return With Hearing Impaired Handler

Psychiatric Service Dog Tasks

Psychiatric Service Dogs assist handlers who have a mental illness or psychiatric disability. Psychiatric Service Dogs are often cross trained for other specialties, too.