Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

10 Types of Service Dogs & What They Do: Vet-Verified Info (With Pictures)

Guide dog helping blind man

It’s certainly no secret that dogs provide companionship for their families, but for many people, their dogs are invaluable partners in their daily lives. Service dogs offer physical, neurological, and mental health benefits for people with serious health conditions, offering huge improvements in their owner’s quality of life.

There are many different types of service dogs, and today, we’re going to take a closer look at 10 of them. Read on to learn more about the work these good boys and girls do.

divider dog paws oct 2024

How Are Service Dogs Classified?

Service dogs are those trained to perform specific tasks or behaviors to help their owners with visible and non-visible disabilities. They undergo vigorous and specific training to perform the tasks required of them in their role. As such, they are given full public access rights, meaning they’re allowed to go places where animals are typically forbidden, such as restaurants or airplanes.

Therapy and emotional support dogs are sometimes confused with service dogs, but they perform different functions. Therapy dogs also receive training, but their job is more focused on providing psychological therapy to individuals other than their handlers. For example, therapy dogs will visit hospitals and schools to provide comfort to patients and students. Emotional support dogs provide companionship to their owners, but they are not considered service dogs as they are not trained to perform specific tasks.

Therapy and emotional support dogs do not have the same legal rights as service dogs.

The 10 Types of Service Dogs

1. Guide Dogs

Guide dog is helping a blind man in the city
Image Credit: SasaStock, Shutterstock
Function: Assists the blind and visually impaired
Best Breeds: Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles

Guide dogs are one of the most commonly known and easy-to-identify types of service dogs. These pups are tasked with helping the blind and low-vision folks navigate through the world. They wear a special type of harness that allows their handler to grasp them, instead of a vest like other types of service dogs.

Guide dogs are unique from other types of service pups because they practice “selective disobedience.” This means that they take in information from their surroundings and make choices based on the assessments made about a situation. For example, their owner may tell them to cross a street, but the dog will disobey if they deem the street too unsafe to cross.


2. Hearing Dogs

cocker-spaniel-sitting
Image Credit: john-mobbs, Shutterstock
Function: Assists the hearing-impaired
Best Breeds: Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Poodles, Cockapoos

As the name suggests, hearing dogs are trained to help their deaf or hard-of-hearing owners interact with their world. They can alert their owner about smoke alarms, doorbells, stove timers, and even crying babies. These dogs are trained to place their paw upon their handler when they hear the noise. They can also lead them toward or away from the cause of the noise, depending on if they deem it safe or not.


3. Mobility Assistance Dogs

A black service dog with a woman in a wheelchair
Image Credit: MintImages, Shutterstock
Function: Assists people with mobility issues
Best Breeds: Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles, German Shepherds

Mobility assistance dogs are those trained to perform a wide range of tasks for their handlers with mobility problems. They can perform tasks such as bringing them objects, pressing buttons on doors, serving as a brace, pulling a wheelchair up ramps, opening doors, and turning on lights. These dogs are typically partnered with people with health conditions such as brain or spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, or cerebral palsy.


4. Diabetic Alert Dogs

Adorable black and white Border Collie dog posing outdoors standing on fallen maple leaves in autumn
Image Credit: Eudyptula, Shutterstock
Function: Trained to alert handlers when they sense blood sugar spikes or drops
Best Breeds: Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Mixed-Sporting Breeds, Poodles, Collies

Diabetic alert dogs can detect potentially deadly changes in blood sugar levels during hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic events. They can then warn their handler of these changes so they can address them appropriately before they get out of hand. They are also often trained to alert others in the household or to set off an alarm if their owner requires medical assistance. Some can even call 911 on special K-9 phones if they’re home alone.


5. Seizure Response & Seizure Alert Dogs

german shepherd dog
Image Credit: Barat Roland, Shutterstock
Function: Assists their handlers during and after a seizure
Best Breeds: Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, German Shepherds, Collies

Seizure response and alert dogs are trained to respond before, during, and after their handler has a seizure. An alert dog is trained to detect seizures before they happen, while their response counterparts are trained to react during and after the seizure.

Seizure-alert dogs are somewhat controversial as there doesn’t appear to be any reliable evidence proving that dogs can reliably predict seizures. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, dogs can be taught to cue in on minute behavioral differences but not to alert.

Seizure response dogs can bark to signal for help or press an alarm system when their handler has a seizure. They can also move the seizing person to somewhere safe and bring medicine or a phone to someone coming out of their seizure.


6. Psychiatric Service Dogs

Image Credit: Alexander Dummer, Pexels
Function: Assists their handler with a psychiatric or mental disability
Best Breeds: Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Collies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Danes, Havanese

Psychiatric service dogs are those trained to perform specific tasks for people living with mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. These dogs are trained to provide a comforting barrier when their owners are distressed. They can perform a wide range of tasks, including protecting their owner’s personal space and turning lights on in rooms before their owner gets there to help them feel safer.

  • Note: Psychiatric service dogs are not the same as emotional support dogs. Though they are trained to perform emotion-based tasks, psychiatric service dogs go through very rigorous training and are not legally considered “pets” as emotional support or therapy dogs are.

7. Autism Assistance Dogs

Little boy is sitting in the leaves with his Newfoundland
Image Credit: rzoze19, Shutterstock
Function: Assists an autistic person to live independently and manage their disability
Best Breeds: Labradors, Poodles, Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Beagles

Autism assistance dogs are trained to assist adults and children on the autism spectrum. They can provide invaluable physical, mental, and emotional support to the person they’re meant to help. These dogs can perform actions such as interrupting self-harming behaviors, providing a counterbalance for those with poor motor control, assisting with disorientation, assisting with self-soothing during meltdowns, and preventing wandering.


8. Allergy Detection Dogs

Cute little curly haired white toy poodle wearing a red collar staring curiously at the camera
Image Credit: Michael Heim, Shutterstock
Function: Trained to smell even the slightest trace of potential allergens
Best Breeds: Labradoodles, Poodles, Labradors, Poodles

Allergy detection dogs are taught how to harness their natural scent-hunting abilities to hunt for their handler’s allergens in their environment. For many people with allergies, even the briefest interaction with their allergen can cause anaphylactic shock. These dogs are trained to sniff out and alert their handler when they catch a sniff of common allergens like peanuts or gluten. These dogs often work alongside children, accompanying them to school and other activities to give them a better sense of independence and provide the parents with peace of mind.


9. Medical Service Dogs

Tumor patient caressing her dog during pet therapy
Image Credit: Ground Picture, Shutterstock
Function: Assists with medical services for people with health conditions
Best Breeds: Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles

Medical service dogs are those trained to assist individuals with medical conditions. They typically don’t handle conditions like epilepsy or psychiatric-based issues. Instead, they are trained for jobs like fetching medication, providing bracing, and bringing a telephone to their handler if required.


10. FASD Assistance Dogs

female owner walking her golden retriever dog on a pathway
Image Credit: LightField Studios, Shutterstock
Function: Assists with medical services for people with health conditions
Best Breeds: Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a non-visible disability and congenital disability occurring when a pregnant mother exposes her growing baby to alcohol. These children may have physical or mental impairments and behavioral problems. FASD assistance dogs are an emerging category of service dogs trained to support children with FASD. They are trained in many of the same tasks as autism assistance dogs, including interrupting repetitive behaviors and promoting a better quality of life for the whole family.

divider dog faces oct 2024

Conclusion

From seizure response and allergy detection to autism assistance, the range of tasks that dogs can be trained to fulfill is nothing short of incredible. As we’ve seen, different breeds are better suited to different roles, and the rules surrounding where and when service dogs are allowed depend on the type of service they provide. If you believe a service dog could enhance your quality of life or that of a loved one, consult your vet to explore the options. The right service dog, matched to your needs and given the care they deserve, can be truly life-changing (and adorable)!

See also:

Sources

Featured Image Credit: hedgehog94, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

4 Responses

    1. Hi Kelly! Yes, Pitbulls and Rottweilers can absolutely be trained as service animals. Both breeds are eager to work, loyal, and intelligent, which makes them well-suited for service work when properly trained. 🙂

  1. Im needing a type of dog that will work for our autistic son with multiple health and psych issues is there such ??

    1. Hi Pam, thanks for getting in touch. Yes, there are indeed service dogs that will be able to help your son. The breeds that are mentioned in the article are all excellent choices, so choosing something suitable will come down to personal preference and what your environment is like. If you live in an apartment, for instance, a smaller dog would be a better fit than a Bernese Mountain dog for example. I have also sent you an email with some additional information for your convenience. 🙂

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

When Is It Safe to Expose Puppies to Other Dogs? Vet-Verified Health Safety Facts & Tips

Although some vets recommend waiting until a puppy is fully vaccinated before meeting other dogs, new owners are also told that early socialization...

Solid Gold Puppy Food Review 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary The Solid Gold dog food brand came to be in 1974 and during the early years, most of their foods contain...

Golden Labrador (Goldador) Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More

The loyal and loving Golden Retriever crossed with the Labrador (also known as the Goldador) is a great medium-sized family dog that gets...

Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Southern California in 2025

If sun, sand, and surf sound like your idea of a good time, Southern California is the place to be! Whether you are...

More related

Rottsky (Rottweiler & Husky Mix) Breed: Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Also referred to as the Rottsky, the Rottweiler Husky mix is a designer hybrid breed that combines the protective Rottweiler with the outdoor-loving...

140 Hawaiian Dog Names for Relaxed Island Pups

The joy and excitement of bringing a new dog into your home is incomparable. You have the toys, the comfy bed, the chewy...

Chestie (Chihuahua & West Highland White Terrier Mix): Info, Pictures & Care

The Chestie breed is a designer dog crossbred from a Chihuahua and the West Highland White Terrier. This dog has gained popularity due...

How to Make Bone Broth for Dogs: 5 Vet-Approved Recipes

Bone broth is quite a popular food topper for dogs. You can purchase it online from the biggest pet food businesses or small...

Keep reading

10 Best Rawhide Alternatives for Dogs In 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks 

While some owners swear by rawhide chews, because they are especially good at keeping power chewers busy for hours at a time, many owners refuse to use them. Some manufacturers use chemicals like bleach and hydrogen peroxide to remove the...

A dog and it's antler A brown and white dog lying on it's bed chewing on a deer antler

Which Nuts Are Bad for Dogs? Vet-Reviewed Safe & Toxic Options

Keeping our animals healthy is a top concern for us pet owners, and the foods that they eat often present the biggest danger. For example, many people worry about nuts because there are several kinds, and some are safe for...

a bowl of assorted nuts

Can Dogs Eat Red Cabbage? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Info

Finding healthy treats for our dogs isn’t as straightforward as many pet parents might think, especially when considering vegetables. Due to our many biological differences, the plants that benefit us in our diets are often unexpectedly hazardous to dogs. Though...

Dogster-Can-Dogs-Eat-Red Cabbage

Can Dogs Eat Saffron Rice? Vet-Verified Facts & Safety Guide

Saffron rice is a tasty and savory dish, and dogs may be tempted to eat it. Many dogs enjoy the taste of rice and may see no problem with eating saffron rice. However, the issue with saffron rice is that...

Can Dogs Eat Saffron Rice

TLC Dog Food Review 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary TLC Dog Food is a Canadian dog food company different from your traditional pet foods. They offer four grain-inclusive recipes: one adult recipe, one puppy recipe, one cat recipe, and one dog biscuit recipe. They certainly lack options,...

Dogster_TLC Dog Food Review

Can Dogs Eat Brownies? Vet-Approved Facts, Risks & FAQ

Brownies have long been an American favorite for those who love sweets. They are gooey, sweet, and filled with chocolaty heaven. For dog owners, we’re sure there has been a time when your dog stared at you longingly because they...

Can Dogs Eat Brownies

Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Tips

Many fruits are completely dog-friendly and are even put into commercial dog food recipes to enhance nutrition. Still, it’s always best to check the safety of certain plant-based foods before you offer them to your pet. So, are blueberries safe...

Can Dogs Eat_blueberries

5 Best Dog Foods for Bernedoodles in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

If you’re lucky enough to be the pet parent of an adorable Bernedoodle (also known as Bernese Mountain Poo, Bernesepoo, or Bernepoo), it’s only fitting that you’re looking to feed them the best dog food available. Your loving and loyal...

Bernedoodle Puppy lying on the ground