Blog

A Service Dog
and ESA Blog

Subscribe for our monthly newsletter

Loading

One monthly email • Unsubscribe anytime.

The Different Types of Service Dogs: All You Need to Know

April 25, 2022

You likely know that service dogs are highly skilled animals that are trained to assist someone with a physical or mental disability. But did you know that there are actually many different types of service dogs that perform a variety of functions? This article will tell you a bit more about the different types of service dogs, the jobs they perform, and how they become service animals.

Guide Dogs

Guide dogs are perhaps the first type of service dog that people think of when they learn that an animal has received service animal certification. Guide dogs are specially trained to assist the blind or visually impaired. They wear a harness with a special handle that enables them to guide their owner through busy streets or even around their own home. They can also assist their owner with tasks around the house. References to guide dogs date back as early as the 16th century, but they didn’t become commonplace in the United States until the 1920s.

Hearing Dogs

Dogs can also be trained to help the hearing impaired. Their primary tasks usually involve acting as their owner’s ears. This means alerting them to important sounds, like the doorbell or knock on the door, smoke alarms, alarm clocks, or ringing phones.

Autism Service Dogs

These dogs are trained to help those with autism to become more independent in their daily activities. Not only can they interrupt harmful behavior, alert parents to an autistic child in a dangerous situation, and alert their owner to important noises, but their companionship can also be extremely soothing to those with autism. This can be very important in helping autistic individuals to cope with difficult or unfamiliar situations.

Diabetic Alert Dogs

As you likely know, dogs have an incredible sense of smell. In fact, it’s so incredible that they can detect changes in the glucose levels of their owner’s saliva. This enables them to alert their owner to dangerously low or dangerously high glucose levels so that they can take action before more adverse effects kick in.

Seizure Response Dogs

Contrary to popular thought, seizure response dogs are not actually trained to detect a seizure before it happens. Instead, they’re trained to assist their owner during or immediately after a seizure. This may include activating an alarm to call emergency responders, retrieving medication, finding someone to help, or physically removing the person from a potentially harmful situation.

Mobility Assistance Dogs

Dogs can also be trained to assist those in wheelchairs or who have other mobility impairments. They can be used to physically pull wheelchairs, open and close doors, retrieve objects, and even operate light switches. This enables the person to live much more independently.

Emotional Support Animals

Unlike those mentioned above, emotional support animals do not need to receive any specialized training, and they don’t perform any actual service-based tasks. Rather, their purpose is to simply provide a soothing presence to those who may struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental or emotional disorders. Additionally, any animal(s) can be an emotional support animal.

Becoming a Service Dog

Typically, the average pet cannot become a service dog. They are usually specially trained from puppyhood to perform the tasks needed to aid others, and they receive their service dog certification upon graduating from their training course. However, if you have an animal that you wish to have registered as a service animal, you may be able to find training courses for them. You can also choose to register any dog or other pet as an emotional service animal.

Check out our website for easy and simple instructions to register your pet as an emotional support animal.

Join our Partner's Paws Comunity

Loading

Read More Articles

+ 17 more categories
German Shepherd Laying down
Uncategorized

German Shepherds: Everything You Need to Know

October 7, 2024 8 min read
Dog - TrainingDogsEmotional Support AnimalsExerciseFoodService Dogs

Golden Retriever: Everything You Need to Know

October 1, 2024 8 min read
DogsEmotional Support AnimalsService Dogs

Labrador Retriever: Everything You Need to Know

September 24, 2024
Dog - TrainingDogsEmotional Support AnimalsExerciseGroomingHealthHuman ConnectionNutritionService DogsUncategorized

French Bulldogs: Everything You Need to Know

September 10, 2024
CatsDogsEmotional Support AnimalsHealthUncategorized

Taking Care of Your Emotional Support Animal in Summer

June 26, 2024
Medical Assist Service Dog
DogsService Dogs

Medical Assist Service Dogs: A Comprehensive Guide

April 4, 2024 5 min read
Dog - TrainingService DogsUncategorized

Hearing Alert Service Dogs: A Comprehensive Guide

April 4, 2024
Dog - TrainingDogsService Dogs

Mobility Service Dogs: Your Partner in Independence

April 3, 2024 5 min read
Dog - FunDogsEmotional Support Animals

Celebrate International Bull Terrier Day

April 2, 2024 5 min read
Uncategorized

National Puppy Day & Cuddly Kitten Day

March 23, 2024 3 min read
DogsEmotional Support AnimalsService Dogs

UK Dog Theft Awareness Day: Keeping Our Furry Friends Safe

March 14, 2024 5 min read
DogsEmotional Support AnimalsService DogsUncategorized

Celebrating National Akita Day: Honoring the Noble Guardian

March 8, 2024 3 min read
CatsDogsEmotional Support AnimalsService DogsUncategorized

Exploring Professional Pet Sitters Week

March 5, 2024 3 min read
CatsUncategorized

Celebrating Compassion and Courage: International Rescue Cat Day

March 2, 2024 3 min read
CatsDogsEmotional Support AnimalsHealthUncategorized

Emotional Support Animals and Schizophrenia: The Healing Presence

February 29, 2024 5 min read
CatsDogsHealth

World Spay Day: A Comprehensive Guide to Pet Well-being and Responsible Ownership

February 27, 2024
Dog - TrainingService DogsUncategorized

Socializing Your Service Dog: Fostering Canine Companionship Success

February 26, 2024 3 min read
Uncategorized

National Service Animal Registry (NSAR) Legit?: An Unbiased Exploration

February 24, 2024
Uncategorized

Celebrating National Dog Biscuit Day: A Pawsome Tribute to Our Furry Companions

February 23, 2024
Dogs

Embrace the Pawsome Adventure: Walking the Dog Day Celebration!

February 22, 2024
DogsUncategorized

Skye’s the Limit on International Skye Terrier Day

February 21, 2024
CatsDogsEmotional Support AnimalsService DogsUncategorized

Love Your Pet Day: Celebrating All Companions

February 20, 2024 3 min read
DogsEmotional Support AnimalsService DogsUncategorized

Celebrating National Boston Terrier Day: A Heartwarming Tribute to Our Lovable Companions

February 19, 2024 3 min read
Emotional Support AnimalsMythBusters

Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month: A Comprehensive Guide to Adopting and Caring for Rabbits

February 15, 2024 5 min read
CatsDogsEmotional Support AnimalsService Dogs

Guarding Our Furry Friends: Unveiling Pet Theft Awareness Day’s Significance

February 14, 2024
CatsDogsEmotional Support AnimalsSenior DogsService Dogs

Responsible Pet Owners Month: A Celebration of Love and Commitment

February 12, 2024
Cats

Embracing the Purr-fect Joy: National Cat Month Unveiled

February 8, 2024 5 min read
BehaviorDog - TrainingDogsService Dogs

Unleashing the Best in Your Canine Companion: A Guide to Dog Training Education Awareness Month

February 6, 2024 5 min read
CatsDogsHealth

The Ultimate Guide to Pet Dental Care: Ensuring Happy Smiles for Dogs, Cats, and More!

February 5, 2024 3 min read
Dog - FunDogsHuman Connection

Planning the Perfect Doggie Date Night: A Tail-Wagging Guide for Dog Owners

February 3, 2024 3 min read
Dog - TrainingService Dogs

Unleashing Comfort: A Comprehensive Exploration of Service Dogs and Sensory Integration Therapy for Children with Sensory Processing Disorders

January 22, 2024 3 min read
CatsDogsEmotional Support Animals

Emotional Support Animals for Anxiety: All You Need to Know

January 16, 2024 3 min read
Service Dogs

How to Obtain A Service Dog: A Comprehensive Guide

January 4, 2024 3 min read
New Years 2024
Service Dogs

Celebrating the New Year Safely with Your Service Dog: A Guide to Minimizing Stress and Maximizing Joy

December 27, 2023
Emotional Support AnimalsService Dogs

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals in US Colleges: Enhancing Inclusivity and Support

August 18, 2023
ESA Letter
CatsDogsEmotional Support Animals

ESA Letter: Stop Paying Pet Fees

April 9, 2024

Register Your Dog as
Service Dog or ESA

Don't miss out on the legal benefits of registering
your pet through NSAR service

Register Now