Our goal at The Furgiving Foundation is to match recipients with dogs trained for tasks that truly improve their daily life and independence — nothing more, nothing less. Training a service dog is a highly specialized process that requires time, patience, and clear communication about the recipient’s needs. Overloading a dog with too many tasks or unrealistic expectations can:

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• Compromise the dog’s reliability and well-being.

• Reduce the effectiveness of essential service tasks.

• Create frustration or disappointment for both the dog and handler.

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Common Training Areas:

Please note: We are currently unable to train medical alert or seeing-eye service dogs due to facility restrictions. The tasks listed below cover many of the services our dogs can learn, but if you have a specific task in mind that isn’t listed, reach out to us so we can check with our trainers.

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Stability / Mobility Support

This type of training is for people who have trouble with balance, strength, or movement. A service dog can help steady you while standing or walking, pick up dropped items, open doors, or provide support when you feel weak, dizzy, or unsteady. These tasks can make daily activities easier and safer, and help you feel more confident moving around.

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Common Stability / Mobility Support Tasks:

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• Brace / Counterbalance - Dog provides steady support when standing, walking, or regaining balance.

• Forward Momentum Pulling - Assists with walking by gently pulling forward to reduce fatigue.

• Item Retrieval - Picks up dropped items (keys, phone, medication, etc).

• Open / Close Doors or Drawers - Uses paws or mouth to open/close doors or cabinets.

• Stabilizing - The dog helps keep you steady when standing, walking, or if you feel dizzy or off balance.

• Retrieve - Brings items to handler (e.g., dropped objects, medication, phone).

• Pick Up/Drop - Picks up items from floor or surfaces and delivers to handler.

• Turn On/Off Lights - Uses switches or buttons to control lights or devices.

• Back - Dog moves backward on command to adjust space or position.

• Six - Dog moves to have view of handler's rearview in public for safety.

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Anxiety and PTSD Support

This type of training is for people who struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, or PTSD. A service dog can provide comfort through calming pressure, interrupt anxious behaviors, create space in crowds, or wake you from nightmares. These tasks can help reduce stress, keep you grounded, and give you more independence in daily life.

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Common Anxiety and PTSD Support Tasks:

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• Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT) - Dog applies comforting pressure (lying on or leaning) to calm anxiety, panic, or overstimulation.

• Interruption of Repetitive/Anxious Behaviors - Stops unwanted behaviors or alerts handler to behaviors (e.g., nail biting, frustration).

• Crowd Control / Covering - Dog creates personal space in public settings and prevents crowd intrusion for handler comfort and safety.

• Cover - Calms handler by providing a steady, comforting presence.

• Calm / Settle - Commands to encourage calmness and relaxation in stressful situations.

• Block - Positions dog between handler and others to provide space or protection.

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Guide and Sensory Support

This type of training is for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have vision loss. A service dog can help you stay safe, aware, and confident by alerting you to important sounds like alarms, door knocks, or someone calling your name, as well as guiding you around obstacles, stopping at curbs or stairs, and helping you navigate safely to doors and other destinations. These skills make daily movement easier, travel safer, and connection to your surroundings stronger.

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Common Guide and Sensory Support Tasks:

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• Obstacle Avoidance - Guides handler safely around obstacles.

• Stopping at Curbs / Stairs - Dog pauses to indicate changes in walking surface.

• Leading to Specific Locations - Helps handler find doorways, exits, or designated spots.​​​

• Doorbell / Knock Alert - Dog signals when someone is at the door.

• Alarm / Timer Alert - Alerts handler to alarms, oven timers, or reminders.

• Phone / Name Call Alert - Alerts handler when name is called or phone rings.

• Emergency Sound Alert - Notifies handler of sirens, smoke detectors, or other urgent sounds.

• Get Help - Seeks help during medical or safety emergencies by alerting others or triggering alarms.