Mobility Service Dog Tasks

Dropped phones, keys, wallets, water bottles. The dog picks them up gently and delivers to hand. Foundation for almost every mobility task program.

The dog learns specific item names and retrieves them on cue from a known location — “get my meds,” “bring me my phone.”

Pull straps on cabinet doors, push automatic-opener buttons (with a paw target), close doors with a nose. Gradient of complexity from easy to advanced.

On cue, the dog stands rigid against the handler's body, providing a stable point to push up from a chair or recover from a balance loss. Requires a dog over 50 lbs with sound structure — usually a deliberate breeding decision, not a rescue.

The dog walks with steady tension on a rigid harness handle, providing dynamic support during walking. Like brace, requires a structurally-sound large dog and harness fit by a professional.

Trained paw target on a wall-mounted button or switch. Useful for accessibility buttons, light switches, elevator calls.

The dog takes a card, ID, or item from the handler's hand and presents it to a person — useful at counters when reaching is painful or impossible.

On cue, the dog provides steady forward pull to help the handler walk up an incline or maintain pace. Requires a fitted harness and a dog conditioned for the work.

On cue, the dog leaves the handler, finds a designated person (spouse, parent, caregiver) and brings them back. Long-distance task — months of stepwise proofing.