Service dogs are highly trained canines that assist individuals with disabilities in performing tasks and activities that would otherwise be difficult or impossible for them to do on their own. These animals undergo rigorous training programs, usually beginning when they are puppies, to learn specific skills such as guiding people who are blind or have low vision, alerting deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals to sounds, providing support and assistance with mobility for those with physical disabilities, and even detecting seizures before they occur. Service dogs are not pets; instead, they are working animals that provide essential aid to their handlers in a variety of ways.