1. Service dogs are assistance dogs that are specially trained to guide differentially abled people.  People with autism, visually impairments, hearing impairments, mental disabilities and more are being helped the world over by these service dogs. Their role in these people’s lives helps them attain confidence. And the best part is that apart from providing help, they become the best companions and share a very special bond.
Suitable Breed –
For the differentially abled people these dogs gain a position that is more than that of just a pet or a companion. They protect and guard their handlers at every step. This also highlights another important point. Since these people take their dogs with them almost everywhere it is essential that the dog is calm and does not pose a threat to the people at large.  Experts believe that Golden retrievers and Labradors are preferred over the other breeds. The reasons are – their natural inclination towards humans which makes them an ideal and beloved companion, their apt size and the most important their friendly nature. Some other popular breeds that serve as good service dogs are – German Shepherds, Border Collies and Poodles. A wide range of mixed breed dogs have also been successful assistance dogs.
Assistance dogs
They help people with disabilities. With proper training they can open and close doors, can pull wheelchairs, operate light switches, guide them at the supermarket, guide them through traffic, fetch objects like newspaper etc. and the most important calling people for help.
Guide dogs
Guide dogs particularly help the visually impaired people. It is with the abilities of these intelligent creatures that the blind see through their eyes. The dog would guide them when the person is walking; help them with their daily activities like fetching, carrying, passing through traffic and more.
Organizations –
In India the trend of having an assistance dog has still not become very popular. Firstly most of the public places like malls, cinema halls, restaurants, shops etc. are not disabled friendly and secondly this concept of having a dog as an assistant or a helper does not appeal to many people of our society. Of course there are exceptions.  But in the west this concept has been accepted and is a great hit. There are innumerable organizations that train such dogs but in India we don’t have many such organizations. Some popular ones are Canines Can Care and Help and Assistance Dogs India (HADI). The good news is that at least there has been a beginning towards this cause and with the right resources and awareness, it would become successful. India’s first fully trained assistance dog is a black Labrador named Honey.
Another organization known as Dr Dog is a Chennai based animal therapy program. They work jointly in collaboration with the Blue Cross of India and the Animals Asia Foundation of Hong Kong (AAI). What they do is therapeutic. Dogs and other popular pets are taken to schools, especially for the blind, the differentially abled, autistic etc. and hospitals across the country. When these pets are around the kids they forget all their pain and sorrow. It is a way of healing and on repeated exposure many children have shown a marked improvement. Just that feeling of being with a pet elevates their happiness.
Training –
As each person is different, the dogs are trained keeping in mind the needs and requirements of the person.
Training is an essential part that would help these dogs shine. The dog training is done in stages. Puppies cannot be trained before a certain age, thus for the first year of their lives they are kept with a puppy raiser. Puppy raisers take very good care of them and have a very crucial responsibility. Not every dog can become a service dog; there is a certain temperament that is required. The puppy raisers slowly imbibe these qualities and prepare the puppy.  The next step is to introduce the puppy to the training academy. They undergo a proper training regime of about 6 – 9 months. Basic obedience commands, fetch, switch off and on, calling someone for help in an emergency and many more commands are taught to the dog.
 
 
2. Guide dogs
Working Dogs Navigate for Those in Need
 
Guide dogs, a type of assistance dog, are trained to help people in life with disabilities.
Also known as seeing-eye dogs, they are specifically trained to lead blind and visually impaired people, helping them navigate situations or obstacles they normally would not be able to.
 

Training For Guide Dogs

Dogs just don’t become guide dogs overnight; plenty of time is spent socializing and training in various environments until a dog can be matched with a visually-impaired companion.
Golden and Labrador retrievers, German shepherds and other larger breeds are normally used as guide dogs because of their size; they are able to lead their handlers or prevent them from walking into dangerous situations.
As young puppies, these up-and-coming guide dogs are placed in the home of a volunteer, or foster family, which helps develop the dog’s social skills. After approximately one year, the dog starts a more advanced training session — usually four-to-six months — with a professional trainer. At this time, obedience, navigating obstacles and other specialized skills, such as retrieving objects, are practiced. A U-shaped harness is also introduced, since guide dogs wear them as part of their jobs to provide mobility assistance to their partners.
After the dog completes this instruction, he then begins his next phase of training: working with a visually-impaired individual that has applied for a guide dog.  This match is under the supervision of a school or an instructor. During this time, the dog and handler, or human partner, begin to bond and go through “in-residence” training sessions, where they practice everyday situations they will more than likely encounter in the real world. 
Guide dogs truly are the eyes of their handlers, helping them to establish mobility and independence.

How Guide Dogs Help

 
Guide dogs truly are the eyes of their handlers, helping them to establish mobility and independence.
For the most part, guide dogs are permitted in any place the public is allowed, and are exempt from rules restricting them from restaurants and other public places where their four-legged counterparts are prohibited.
While leading their handler, guide dogs are trained to do a number of things, including:  maintaining a steady pace; ignoring distractions including smells, other animals and people; stopping at curbs and tops and bottoms of steps until instructed to proceed; helping their handler board public transportation; and obeying verbal commands among other skills.

Guide Dog Dos and Don’ts

Although you may be tempted to run up and greet any furry friend that comes your way, remember the dog is working and is responsible for the mobility of someone who is unable to see.
Here are a few “pet-iquette” items to keep in mind when encountering a guide dog or a guide dog team:
·Don’t pet or distract the dog.
·Don’t offer the dog food or treats.
·Don’t give the dog commands.
·Don’t walk on the dog’s left side; it may confuse him.

• Don’t attempt to grab the dog’s harness.
• Do let the dog rest undisturbed.
• Do offer your assistance to the dog’s owner, if needed.

Guide Dog Resources

There are a number of organizations that provide programs for blind and visually impaired individuals. Guide Dogs for the Blind, a non-profit organization, offers free information on handling guide dogs, becoming a trainer and interacting with the blind.
Another resource is Guide Dogs of America, an international program that provides guide dogs free of charge to blind and visually impaired men and women