#servicedog95

If they pick up on something naturally, it can definitely be the basis for a task, but it would still have to be a task as defined by the ADA - directly related to your disability. If it’s just for convenience, it’s a helpful trick, not a task. That doesn’t mean someone can’t train that behaviour, just that they can’t claim it as a task if asked what tasks their service dog is trained to perform. 

A task is defined as “a specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability.” So, even if a dog begins to voluntarily provide a behaviour that is helpful, they need to be trained to perform that behaviour consistently. For example, a medical alert dog with a natural alert may act differently or offer a behaviour when their handler is about to have an episode (be it a migraine, seizure, syncope, etc), but for it to be a fully trained task that behaviour needs to be proofed and refined until it is consistent and reliable, not simply coincidental.

Take care of yourself today, okay?

100 % of the time:

Sit Stay Lay Stay Heel Easy Alerting to hair play Alert to bouncing leg Paw Touch Get in bed Leave it High five Roll over Ignore

60% of the time