Frequently Taught Disability Assistance Tasks by Service Orientation:
PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE DOGS (PSD)
Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSDs) and PTS or PTSD Dogs:
Assistance in a Medical Crisis, for example, backpacking medical related supplies, provide balance support to ambulatory partner, summon help, call 911 or Suicide Hotline on K9 Rescue phone
Treatment Related Assistance, for example, alert sedated partner to smoke alarm an assist to exit, alert sedated partner to doorbell, brings beverage to swallow pills/ combat dry mouth, dog gives medication reminders at certain times of day
Assistance Coping with Emotional Overload, for example, providing a reality check "who's there?" or coping with fear of hidden intruders in the home, arouse from fear paralysis or disassociation spell by nudging handler/ licking handler, or pawing handler, crowd control/ panic prevention in public by circling the partner keeping other people at a distance, providing deep pressure for a calming effect, assist to leave the area by finding exit, tactile stimulation to prevent or combat emotional overload, wake up human partner for work or school
Security Enhancement Tasks, for example, assist with escape strategies by opening the front door or lighting up a dark room by operating switches or devices like a floor pedal device
Fear Management in Public, for example, keeping suspicious strangers away
Reducing Hyper-vigilance through teamwork
mOBILITY dOGS
Mobility Dogs:
Obstacle Avoidance, for example, avoiding fallen objects on the side walk
Signal Changes in Evaluation, for example, signaling a sidewalk curb or steps
Locate objects on command, for example, the t.v. remote, a bottle of water, a medication
Assist moving wheelchair, avoiding obstacles
Brace, counterbalance, assisting ambulatory partner to walk
Transport items, for example,textbooks, business supplies, or other items up to 50 lbs in a wagon
Backpacking, carrying necessary items in a backpack
Bark for hep
hEARING dOGS
Hearing Dogs:
Alert to Specific Sounds at Home, for example, doorbell ringing
Alert to Specific Sounds Away from Home, for example, fire drill
Carry Written Messages Between People in the Home
Warn of a Vehicle Approaching
Bark for help
Emergency Medical Response/ Medical Alert Dogs
Emergency Medical Response/ Medical Alert Dogs:
Alert to an upcoming seizure
Call 911 or any preprogrammed number by using K-9 Rescue Phone
Summon Help
Respond to Smoke Alarm if Partner Unresponsive
Backpacking Medical Related Supplies
Bring Medication to Alleviate Symptoms
Bring a Beverage so Handler can Swallow Medication
Disability assistance tasks can be split into a few main categories
dISABILITY tASK cATEGORIES
Main categories:
Retrieve Based Tasks - "Bringing" for example, medical bottles, beverages, required items
Carrying Based Tasks (non retrieval) "Transporting items" for example, carry mail, transport items downstairs or upstairs
Deposit Based Tasks- "Putting" for example, laundry in the washing machine, trash in the garbage can
Tug Based Tasks- "Open" "Close" "Shut" "Drag" for example, using a strap to open drawers, shut door, assist to remove shoes, operate rope device that moves blankets, drag bedding to laundry machine
Nose Nudge Based Tasks-(using the nose to nudge something shut or pushing floor pedal) for example, help put paralyzed arm back onto armrest, nudge shut dryer drawer, dishwasher door, refrigerator and freeze door, call 911 on K-9 rescue phone by pushing button
Pawing Based Tasks- (similar to nudge) "Close" "Shut" "Press Button" "Paw Elevator Button"
Bracing Based Tasks- for example, assist to walk, prevent fall by bracing on command, steady partner getting in or out of the bathtub
Harness Based Tasks- for example, tow ambulatory partner up inclines, pull partner out of aisle seat on plane, then brace, transport textbooks, haul open heavy door, holding it ajar,
Alert Based Tasks- for example, alert to sounds, upcoming seizures
Calming Based Tasks- for example, cuddling, using pressure to slow heart rate, prevent self-harm
Dogs Downtown Service Dog: Zara
Read our FAQs for more general information on Service Dogs.
Important Cost Considerations
An important consideration in moving forward is knowing how much training a service dog will cost from beginning to end. The following cost projections are only representative of averages. Throughout the training process, we will adjust the amount and types of weekly training to reflect need which may either raise or lower the cost of training. These cost projections do not include the cost of obtaining the dog, caring for the dog, vet bills, equipment costs, etc.
