Comprehensive List of
PTSD Service Dog Tasks

We provide a comprehensive list of service dog tasks to show you how to make your dog a service dog or psychiatric service dog. National Service Animal Registry is USA’s foremost service dog and emotional support animal agency, and our experts have been helping animals help people since 1995.

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List of Service Dog and PTSD Service Dog Tasks

Click on a task category to expand the section to view the corresponding service dog and PTSD service dog tasks.

  • Alert family member
  • Alert handler to another person or child crying/calling/yelling
  • 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…)
  • Alert to doorbell/knocking
  • Alert to handler’s name
  • Alert to high blood sugar
  • Alert to intruder
  • Alert to low blood sugar
  • Alert to person coming up behind
  • Alert to panic attack
  • Alert to phone
  • Alert to seizure
  • Alert to siren
  • Alert to sounds
  • Alert to take medication (reminder)
  • Alert to unheard dropped item
  • Respond to anxious behaviors
  • Routine reminders (feed dog, eat meals, go to sleep, etc.)
  • Wake handler
  • 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)
  • Forward momentum (in a wheelchair)
  • Forward momentum (when walking)
  • Interrupt crying
  • Interrupt dissociation
  • Interrupt flashback
  • Interrupt freezing behavior
  • Interrupt harmful behaviors
  • Interrupt nightmare
  • Interrupt panic/anxiety attack
  • Interrupt repetitive behaviors
  • Interrupt scratching/skin picking
  • Lick face/hands
  • 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)
  • 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
  • Call 911 on a dog-friendly phone
  • Call a pre-programmed number on a dog-friendly phone
  • Call suicide hotline on a dog-friendly phone
  • Deliver credit card or money to a cashier
  • Deliver items from cashier to handler
  • Deliver item to person
  • Avoid moving objects (while guiding)
  • Guide home
  • Guide to an exit
  • Guide to specific item
  • Guide to specific location
  • Guide to specific person
  • Guide to a safe place
  • Lead around ground hazards (while guiding)
  • Lead around low hanging items (while guiding)
  • Lead around stationary items (while guiding)
  • 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
  • Turn off lights (with paw, nose or teeth)
  • Turn on lights (with paw, nose or teeth)
  • Carry grocery bags
  • Carry purse
  • Carry items up or down stairs
  • Drag heavy items to specific location
  • Drag laundry basket
  • Help remove socks or other clothing
  • Help sit up if slumped over
  • Help with turning over
  • Roll handler his/her side (by nudging, pulling clothing)
  • Assist with position changes (sitting to standing, laying to sitting, etc.)
  • Counter-balance handler
  • Pull Wheelchair
  • Pull handler with strap (to change positions)
  • Pull and hold heavy door
  • Pull blankets off/on
  • Pull blinds/curtains closed/open
  • Clean up items on the floor (put in basket)
  • Clean up trash on the floor (put in wastebasket)
  • Find help
  • 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)
  • Indicate barrier (while guiding)
  • Indicate curbs (while guiding)
  • Indicate drop-offs (while guiding)
  • Indicate stairs/steps (while guiding)
  • Block handler from moving towards danger (busy road, away from home, etc.)
  • Bring a note to person
  • Check the house
  • Clear a room (enter ahead of handler and check for intruders)
  • Crowd control (circling handler)
  • Deep pressure therapy
  • Follow designated person
  • Refuse to move forward if not safe
  • Tactile stimulation
  • Throw away trash
  • Pull Wheelchair
  • Unload grocery items
  • Unload items from the washer or dryer
  • Push floor button to turn on lamp
  • Push paralyzed limb back into place

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