Mobility assistance dog

For someone who uses a wheelchair or has limited strength, a mobility dog picks up dropped keys and phones, opens and closes doors, presses lift buttons and can help pull off a jacket or empty a washing machine. Dogs that brace a person while they stand or steady their balance need to be big, sturdy and cleared by a vet for joint problems, which is why Labradors and Golden Retrievers dominate the role. Each dog's task list is built around one person's daily routine.