Amazing Ways Service Dogs Help Their Owners

Service dogs provide an incredible service for their owners. Millions worldwide benefit daily from the invaluable service their animals provide, but many of us don’t realize the full extent of their work. That’s what we aim to shine a light on today!

In this short guide, we’ll take you through five ways service animals change the lives of their owners by providing extraordinary service. We’re sure there will be at least one job you’ve never heard of, so let’s get into it!

1. Guide Dogs

One of the most common roles for a service dog is to act as a guide dog for people with impaired sight. Thousands of guide canines registered on the Service Dog Registration of America every year change the lives of their owners in an extraordinary way. With guide dogs, owners can access their lives independently in a way that wasn’t possible before. 

2. Seizure-Alert Dogs

People who suffer from seizures may be at risk of dangerous symptoms and side effects that follow a seizure. Seizure-alert canines can make all the difference. Not only can they seek immediate assistance if their owners fall into a seizure, but they can also even detect the likelihood of a seizure before it occurs. This extra warning gives their owner time to place themselves safely, preventing nasty falls or other injuries. 

3. Hearing Dogs

Similar to how guide dogs can help those with sight impairments, hearing canines can help those with hearing loss. These service dogs remain acutely aware of their surroundings, alerting their owners to any changes through various signals, including stopping in their tracks, slightly tugging on their leash, or making direct eye contact. Depending on the context, they know to take their owners away from noise or lead them toward it. Amazing!

4. Mobility Assistance Dogs

These service dogs often consist of larger breeds, and with good reason. Mobility assistance canines help owners move around independently and navigate the wider world more easily. They do this in numerous ways, including opening doors, turning lights off/on, fetching items, and even using their body weight to assist their owners in standing up. They put in the work to do an incredible job. 

5. Psychiatric Service Dogs

Not to be confused with emotional support animals, psychiatric service canines are trained to relieve the symptoms of a specific disorder or mental illness. This could include anxiety, PTSD, depression, or other mental health-related conditions. They achieve this by soothing them during painful flashbacks or constantly reassuring them via their loyal presence. No matter how they relieve their owner’s symptoms, it’s certain that they’re deeply appreciated. 

Dogs Really Are Humanity’s Best Friend

Whether service dogs or just our loyal pets, dogs provide joy to their owners by the bucket load. The kinds of service animals we’ve listed in this short guide are just the tip of the iceberg. They help their respective owners in various ways, all specially trained for their cause. We salute you, service dogs!