top of page
Task list -
tasks can be  cued,  trained or a combination, depending on the symptom

Indicates the task is a trained response to the handler's condition

Indicates the task is "cued"

or functions with a verbal command from the handler

Indicates the task is for

SERVICE DOGS

ONLY

Indicates the task is acceptable for Assistance Dogs

​

Indicates the task

is acceptable for Therapy Dogs

ALERTS

​

Alert to (incipient) episode

medical or psychiatric

​

Alert to dangerous situations and forgotten appliances left on or running.

​

Alerts to family member or caregiver to incipient or occurring episode

​

Bring medication or other objects

  • Aggressive Driving

  • Change in breathing pattern

  • Emotional escalation

  • Hyperfocus

  • Hyperlocomotion

  • Increase/decrease in heart rate

  • Muscle/facial tension

  • Most symptoms of highs and lows in blood sugar such as dizziness, fainting and loss of energy

  • Olfactory or visual/auditory cue

  • Pounding heart

  • Restlessness or distractability

  • Sleep disturbance (nightmare/terrors)

  • Startle response

  • Convulsions/seizures

  • Eating disorder behavior

  • Feeling tired or confused

  • ​

Tactlle stimulation

​

Bodily or eye contact

​

Deep Pressure Therapy

​

  • Anxiety attack

  • Apathy/disengagement

  • Depersonalization

  • Derealization

  • Difficulty initiating movement

  • Distractability

  • Dissociative flashback

  • Emotional upheaval

  • Fear/agoraphobia

  • Feelings of Isolation

  • Fight or flight response

​

  • Flashback or distress

  • Hypervigilance

  • Increase in heart rate

  • Intrusive thoughts/images

  • Nausea

  • Pounding heart

  • Racing thoughts

  • Restlessness or inability to remain still

  • Sadness or tearfulness

"Ground" Handler

​

Guide Handler to a

Safe Place

Predestined location

Exits or stairwells

​

​

​

​

  • Flight or Fight response

  • Flashbacks or distress

  • Hypervigilance

  • Night Terrors

  • Psychomotor retardation

  • Psychosis

  • Sensory overload

  • Sleep disturbance

  • Startle response

  • Suicidal ideation

  • Anxiety attack

  • Catatonic behavior

  • Delusions

  • Disorganized speech or behavior

  • Dissociation

  • Dissociative Flashbakck

  • Dissociative Fugue

  • Emotional escalation

  • Fear

  • Feeling overwhelmed

Remind handler to perform daily routines

  • Disorganization

  • Memory Loss

  • Most symptoms related to early onset Alzheimer's disease

  • Most disorganization and manic high-lows of blood sugar disorders

"Anchor" handler to bed

​

Remind Handler of bedtime

Take/use sleep aids

​

Wake Up handler

​

Turn Lights On

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Night terrors

  • Insomnia

Counterbalance

Brace

Stabilize

  • Dizziness

  • Fugue

  • Faint and flight response

bottom of page