SERVICE DOGS

Types of Service Dogs

Seizure Response Service Dogs

These dogs can perform a variety of tasks to assist their handlers during and after a seizure occurs. A seizure response dog can:

  • Alert someone that help is needed

  • Push a medical alert button when a seizure occurs

  • Provide balance support to help someone recover after a seizure

  • Retrieve a phone or medicine

  • Alert to dissociation (during small, focal seizures)

  • Provide emotional support and comfort during their handler’s recovery period

Mobility Assistance Service Dogs

These dogs can provide a variety of tasks to help aid in someone’s mobility, balance, and stability. A mobility assistance dog can:

  • Provide balance support via a balance/stability harness

  • Provide a brace in the event of a fall

  • Physically pull in harness to help someone up steep inclines, or to get out of a seated position

  • Retrieve dropped items, open doors, turn on/off lights

  • Provide emotional support and comfort for their handler

  • Help their handler achieve greater independence

Psychiatric Service Dogs

These dogs can be taught a variety of tasks to help with psychiatric related disorders. A psychiatric service dog can:

  • Provide emotional and psychological support

  • Alert to, and provide support during panic attacks

  • Help reduce anxiety

  • Help improve sleep problems

  • Provide Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT)

  • Retrieve medication or push a medical alert button

  • Help with mood swings, hypervigilance, heightened emotions, depression, impaired
    self-esteem, impulsivity, feelings of isolation, irritability, repetitive behaviors, and
    dissociation.

Guide Dogs

Guide Dogs are specially trained service dogs that are trained to lead blind and visually impaired people. They are taught to navigate around obstacles, stop at any change in elevation, target specific objects in the environment, help maintain their handler’s orientation, and keep their handler safe during travel. We train and place Guide Dogs for non-profit organizations and for private clients.