There are so many types of service dogs to be grateful for! Dogs enhance our lives, love us, and inspire us to be better people. While we’re grateful for all dogs, there are those who go the extra mile to help make the world a better place. This post is for all the dogs who dedicate their lives to service—we couldn’t be more grateful for you!

We also want to recognize the everyday heroes of our world, including the dogs that are vital to rescue organizations and government agencies helping to keep people safe.

There are endless ways dogs can help us in our everyday lives, and these are just a few ways service dogs improve our world.

The Different Types of Service Dogs

Therapy dogs

Therapy dogs provide comfort, emotional support, and companionship to individuals in various settings, including hospitals, schools, and disaster relief areas. These gentle dogs undergo training from a young age to ensure they can effectively help those in need. To become certified, therapy dogs must pass a series of temperament assessments that gauge their ability to interact positively with people. Their presence can bring joy and relief, making a significant difference in stressful environments.

We are so grateful for the comfort therapy dogs bring to those who need it most.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are specially trained to perform tasks that aid individuals with disabilities. These categories of assistance can vary widely, encompassing services for those who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, or have mobility challenges. Assistance dogs must be highly attuned to their environment and responsive to their handler’s needs, demonstrating remarkable focus and dedication. Their work as companions and helpers enhances the quality of life for many individuals.

We are thankful to all the assistance dogs who do such amazing work for their human!

Military Working Dogs

Military working dogs are integral members of police and military operations. These highly trained “K-9 units” are recruited for their exceptional senses, agility, and ability to work under pressure. MWDs assist in a variety of tasks, from conducting drills, to vehicle searches and supporting investigations. Their training and commitment often place them in high-risk situations, and their contributions to national security and public safety are invaluable. We are so grateful for all their hard work!

Search and Rescue Dogs

Search and rescue (SAR) dogs are vital resources in emergency situations. These skilled canines utilize their keen sense of smell to locate missing persons, whether it’s a child lost in the woods or someone buried under an avalanche. SAR dogs have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to save lives, making them essential partners in rescue operations worldwide. Their capabilities ensure that help can reach those in need more efficiently.

Why You Should Never Fake Having a Service Dog

You either know someone who has faked having an emotional support animal, therapy, or service dog or you’ve probably heard stories.

When you fake a service dog, you’re diminishing the social value of the certification. Pretending your dog is a service dog is also an insult to the dogs who actually go through the training process which can be as long as two years. Service dogs provide a real need required by thousands of civilians, and faking the certification makes it less available to those who need it. 

Dogs are sweet and loving by nature. However, they are not necessarily prepared to react if things go awry the way trained service dogs are. Rather than faking your dog’s certification, you can seek out a real service dog training program and get your dog certified. Dogs love “working” and are quick learners with the right guidance. You might just be surprised at what your dog is actually capable of learning, and there will be nothing phony about it. 

When our dogs can do their jobs confidently with respected certifications, we all win. Please use these certification programs responsibly, for the sake of dogs and humans everywhere. 

As you can see, there are so many different types of service dogs with unique jobs. We wouldn’t want to imagine a world without working dogs, and we’re glad to see that more and more dog owners being inspired to train their dogs to help others.