Service Dogs

Dogs started assisting humans with herding in the 1570's. Their job is to herd and protect a variety of livestock. Herding is more of an instinct that was a result of breeding so many herding dog breeds are born with the natural instinct and drive to control large groups of animals (which can sometimes mean their human family members too).

Along with military working dogs, these dogs are also held in high regards. These dogs assist police by detecting drugs and explosives, tracking missing people and holding suspects hostage until their handler catches up. They will also attack an armed suspect to protect their handler.

These dogs are specifically trained to sniff out and detect a wide variety of things, depending on the laws of the particular country they're in. most commonly, drugs, explosives, money and wildlife feces. Many dogs are put to work for their incredible sense of smell, like hunting dogs (animals), search dogs (live people) and cadaver dogs (human remains).

These dogs help people with mobile disabilities and pick things up if the handler drops it like keys, phone, fork etc. They also open and close doors, turn lights on and off and retrieve objects.

These dogs are paired with the blind or people with low vision. They're the most commonly known kind of service dog and in Japan, the only known service dog. Unlike other service dogs, these dogs have selective obedience. So while other service dogs tend to obey every command, these dogs will disobey their handler if the handler keeps them from potential danger. For example if the handler tells the dog to cross the road but a car is coming, the dog will assess the situation and disobey accordingly.

These dogs will warn their handlers when their blood sugar levels get dangerous. Dogs amazing sense of smell can detect this so the handler knows to test their blood and inject themselves with insulin.

These dogs are mostly used after a natural disaster. They find survivors and alert the rescue team. They are able to reach the survivors first and often have first aid kits around their necks for the survivors to use as necessary. In Austria after an avalanche, they are usually equipped with flasks of schnapps to keep survivors warm until the rescue team van reach them.

These are some of the most honored and respected dogs. Their jobs include explosive detection, search and rescue, patrol and attacking.

These dogs are often paired with people suffering from PTSD. They can sense when their handler is about to have a panic attack and retrieve medication and water. They will physically get between their hander and another person to preserve their personal space and prevent a trigger. If their handler has fainted or fallen from a panic attack, these dogs will circle their handler to stop people approaching.
*These dogs are often mistaken for ESD (Emotional Support Dogs - listed below) but unlike ESDs they are selected from a very young age go through extensive training like other service dogs and aren't considered pets.

Dogs have an outstanding sense of smell so these dogs will warn their handlers before they touch it.

Possibly the most complex job for a dog, these canines can call emergency services from a dog friendly touch screen called a K-9 alert phone. If their handler has fallen in a dangerous place, they will drag them to a safer place and help them regain consciousness and bring medication when their handler starts to regain consciousness.

These dogs are paired with deaf people and alert them of important sounds like the doorbell, phone, fire alarms and alarm clocks.