Canine Companions service dog, child and PawPatrol characters

Paw Patrol

Rex and Indy

Rex and Indy Chat About Disabilities and Assistance Dogs

It’s really fun to see service dogs with their human partners. While we like to look at these awesome dogs and even want to pet them, there are some rules to follow.

Check out these tips below shared by Rex and Indy. Just click on the question and the answer will show up below!

IndyYou don’t want to touch the dog without asking permission first. This is a distraction and may prevent the dog from helping its human partner. Be aware that the dog is working and may be in the middle of a command or direction from its partner. Most dogs need to be told a command to switch from work mode to interact with another person.

IndyMany people who use wheelchairs and other equipment feel like their wheelchair is a part of their body. You don’t want to touch a person’s equipment, like a wheelchair or crutches, unless they’ve given you permission.

IndyYou can admire the person with their assistance dog from afar but if you’d like to learn more, you can approach and speak to the person directly. Most handlers do not mind talking about assistance dogs and their dog specifically if they have the time. In fact, they often enjoy it! But be sure to ask before petting or speaking directly to the dog. The dog needs permission from its human partner before interacting with you.

IndyPlease don’t feed the dog. It may be on a special diet. Food is the ultimate distraction to the working dog and can jeopardize the working assistance dog team.

IndyYou can admire the person with their assistance dog from afar but if you’d like to learn more, you can approach and speak to the person directly. Most handlers do not mind talking about assistance dogs and their dog specifically if they have the time. In fact, they often enjoy it! But be sure to ask before petting or speaking directly to the dog. The dog needs permission from its human partner before interacting with you.

IndyThat’s a great question! Canine Companions assistance dogs spend two years training to become expertly trained best friends to kids and adults with disabilities. These amazing dogs are trained in over 40 commands. That means they can do more than 40 different things for their human partner. They can open and close doors, carry lunch boxes, pick up books and pencils and other things kids might drop and so much more! To learn more about what these dogs can do, visit our dogs page.

IndyJust like asking to pet the dog, you don’t want to touch the dog without asking permission first. This is a distraction and may prevent the dog from tending to its human partner. Be sensitive to the fact that the dog is working and may be in the middle of a command or direction from its partner. Most dogs need to be told “release” from work mode to interact with another person.

IndyWhile it’s very kind to want to help someone with a disability, always ask whether they want your help first. If they do want help, ask how you can best assist them. If a person doesn’t want help, don’t worry! People with disabilities like to do activities independently, just like you!

tug

Tug

Grab an item while walking backwards to pull it

lightswitch

Light / Switch

Turn a light on with nose or off with paw

hand pushing button

What?

Lead the handler to the source of a sound

keys

Get

Retrieve an item and hold it until commanded

hold

Hold

Hold and carry an item in the mouth until commanded

up

Up

Put two front feet up to deliver an item

Jobs Puppy

Jobs That Give Independence

24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Canine Companions for Independence assistance dogs are there for their human partners with disabilities. Expertly trained to perform over 40 commands these dogs help children, veterans and adults with disabilities open doors, pick up dropped items and much more. Thanks to donors like you, each life-changing dog is provided free of charge to recipients.

Meet Dogs With Jobs

PAW Patrol
Meet LanDan Olivia and her expertly trained assistance dog Perkins. They are a Canine Companions® graduate team working together for greater independence.
boy and yellow lab

Luke & Ruff

With assistance dog Ruff by Luke's side the sky's the limit. Luke has Down Syndrome, creating cognitive and physical delays. Staying on task, speech and socialization are difficult for Luke. After being matched with Ruff, Luke is making great strides.

young girl and yellow lab laying down

LuLu & Zuke

LuLu is a smart, energetic 7-year-old who needs to stay active and exercise to help manage the progression of two rare genetic conditions. Assistance dog Zuke helps LuLu move more and participate in the activities she enjoys most.

mother and daughter with yellow lab

Nu Ja & Kristi

Nu Ja was born with limb differences in her arms and legs, meaning they are either absent or incomplete; however, this rarely slows her down. Assistance dog Kristi helps Nu Ja get ready for school and attend Girl Scout troop outings.

Get Involved

Start your own fundraiser, color a PAW Patrol coloring page, make your dog a tug toy or adopt your very own official plush Canine Companions puppy training to be an assistance dog to help a person with a disability. Learn more about volunteering.

yellow dog in a birthday hat with a balloon

Start a Fundraiser

Dedicate your birthday or holiday to collect donations. Host a dog wash. Organize a bake sale. Get ideas and much more on the DIY fundraising site.

rope tug toy

Make a Tug Toy

Working dogs use tug straps to help them open doors and drawers. Download these instructions to make your very own tug strap toy for your dog!

coloring book page with a puppy tugging on a basket

Color and Share

Show us your creativity by coloring in this PAW Patrol coloring sheet. Share your masterpiece by tagging Canine Companions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and using the hashtags #giveadogajob and #pawpatrol.

Free Coloring Book

Get a FREE PAW Patrol Coloring Book

Make a donation of $25 or more and receive a plush pup with a certificate and get a FREE PAW Patrol coloring book!

Check Out Our PSA From Nickelodeon!

Give a Dog a Job

No job is too big. No pup is too small.

Canine Companions for Independence is partnering with Nickelodeon’s PAW Patrol pups from Adventure Bay and Dino Rescue!

The PAW Patrol are the heroes of Adventure Bay and Dino Rescue, but today they want you to meet some other heroes. The assistance dogs of Canine Companions for Independence.

From Puppy to Assistance Dog

animated Canine Companions characters

Have you ever wondered how a puppy becomes an assistance dog or how an applicant becomes a graduate? Here’s a great video to show the process and how our organization works.

Canine Companions is joining the fun on the PAW Patrol LIVE tours "Race to the Rescue" and "The Great Pirate Adventure."

Paw Patrol Live
PawPatrol Logos