Although mobility and stability dogs have a lot in common, there are some differences.
Stability service dogs are often paired with individuals with strength or balance issues. They usually wear a large harness with a handle on their back so the handler can hold onto the harness if they need help staying balanced or to hold onto if they need assistance getting up. Stability dogs may also be matched with a handler with a walker.
Another common difference between mobility and stability dogs is that stability dogs do not sit when they are in the heel command because they need to be standing next to their handler, ready to be a brace. Stability service dogs are trained to lean up against their handler when they are in the heel command to add even more support for their handler. These dogs need to be able to take on the pressure of the handler using them as their support.
Mobility dogs are usually matched with a handler in a wheelchair, a scooter or someone who uses a walker, where they help with opening doors or cabinets and holding or picking up items along the way.
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