10 Jobs Performed by Service Dogs

Dogs are often beloved members of the family. Playful and loyal, they're the perfect companion while on a trip, or just hanging out at home. For some people, however, dogs provide more than just friendship. Service dogs perform a variety of functions for the owners who need them. The next time you see a dog wearing a service dog jacket, they may be performing one of these roles.

1. Guide Dogs

Dogs have been assisting the visually impaired for centuries. While they don't always wear a vest, some people like their dogs to wear harnesses with handles on them.

2. Hearing Dogs

For the hearing impaired, they might want the services of a hearing dog. Trained to respond to certain loud sounds like doorbells or alarms, they'll nudge their human and lead them towards the sound.

3. Mobility Assistance Dogs

These dogs can perform all sorts of tasks such as bringing items that are out of reach of their human, press buttons, and even open doors.

4. Diabetic Alert Dogs

These dogs are trained to smell when their humans are having either a hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic diabetic event and can alert them to let them know it's time to test their blood sugar before the levels become dangerous.

5. Seizure Alert Dogs

A small number of dogs appear to have the ability to correctly predict when their humans are about to have a seizure. While some neurologists will point to a lack of any proof that this is true, many families and trainers swear by them.

6. Seizure Response Dogs

Trained to respond to their human after a seizure takes place, these dogs will bark or press an alarm the instant the seizure begins. Some even have the ability to pull their masters out of harms way mid-seizure.

7. Psychiatric Service Dogs

Particularly helpful to those suffering from PTSD, psychiatric service dogs can help create a physical barrier between the human and others when they're feeling anxious in crowds.

8. Autism Support Dogs

A child with autism may find that their dog offers a sense of predictability that can assist them in navigating social settings, and act as an ice breaker with classmates.

9. FASD Service Dogs

Children diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders find their dogs offer similar benefits as an autism support dogs. They can also be trained to interrupt children with FASD when they engage in repetitive behavior.

10. Allergy Detection Dogs

Having a dog present who's trained to sniff out allergens like nuts or gluten provides vulnerable children with greater independence.

Sometimes service dogs will wear a service dog jacket, but not all the time. If you wish to greet a dog but aren't sure, always ask before approaching.