For many people living with disabilities or other special needs, service and assistance dogs are not only important medical aides but beloved companions. From guide dogs, mobility assistance dogs, seizure and diabetic alert dogs, allergy detection dogs, and many more, there are around 500,000 working service dogs in the United States alone. To learn more about these faithful and intelligent canines, we’ve gathered nine picture books that explore the incredible work that these animals do for their human companions.
What Coco Can Do by Maribeth Boelts, Illustrated by Steph Laberis
At first, Coco the dog’s greatest skill doesn’t seem too exceptional: he can cuddle. And while this may not be as impressive as other working dogs, such as canine actor Scout, Jax the lifeguard dog, or cattle dog Pepper, the truth is that it can mean the world to people with hurting hearts. Specially trained and clad in his vest, Coco offers comfort to those who are facing loneliness or tragedy. A fascinating look at the many ways in which working dogs assist humans, this title also offers heartwarming insight into the valuable service provided by comfort dogs.
Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, Illustrated by Scott Magoon
On a special farm in the countryside, a black lab named Rescue has failed his guide dog training; his trainer gives him hope, suggesting he will make a great service dog. In the big city, a girl named Jessica has lost her left leg and much of her right leg in a terrible accident. When Jessica is recommended for a service dog to help her, Rescue is brought in to meet her. The two bond instantly and, through patience and training, learn how to work as a team. In this true story, young readers learn how mobility assistance dogs provide critical physical and emotional support for their humans.
My Name is Jem by Olivia Muscat, Illustrated by Allison Colpoys
In her off-hours, Jem might seem like any household pet: she loves playing with her yellow bone and snuggling with her owner. However, when her special harness is on, Jem goes to work as a guide dog. Jem helps her blind companion navigate the world safely in many ways, acting as her person’s eyes and helping her across crosswalks, avoid obstacles, and even find bus stops! This infectiously sweet title not only details the invaluable work of guide dogs but also gives important etiquette rules on how to (and how not to) interact with service dogs while they are working.
Raising a Hero by Laura Numeroff, Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
Service dogs begin their training very early in life; puppy Max should know! He is working with his young trainer, Sam, to become a mobility assistance dog someday. This involves a lot of learning for little Max, from simple commands such as sit and stay to more complicated ones, like “visit.” He also has to learn how to stay focused and not be distracted by other dogs, people, or tasty french fries. He knows he’ll miss Sam when it’s time for him to go, but he and Sam are both excited that all their hard work means that he gets to be someone’s hero by making their life easier every day.
I’m a Gluten-Sniffing Service Dog by Michal Babay, Illustrated by Ela Smietanka
“Every dog needs a person,” explains Chewie, the poodle narrator of this story, and he’s excited to meet his: Alice, a young girl with celiac disease. In addition to a furry friend, Alice needs an allergen detection dog to prevent her from accidentally eating gluten; she can get terribly ill from even the smallest amount in her food. But Chewie’s training is so hard: there are distractions, temptations (a delicious hot dog just sitting on the ground!), and many commands to remember. Both an educational look at allergen detection dogs and gluten allergies themselves, this heartwarming tale is sure to touch readers of all ages.
Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp
Madeline Finn does NOT like to read. She’s not very good at it, and while she tries very hard, she gets embarrassed and frustrated when she messes up. One Saturday, her mother takes her to the library, where the librarian offers a new reading partner: a big, fluffy white dog named Bonnie. When Madeline reads to Bonnie, her furry friend is patient and understanding, and never laughs at her. This uplifting book shines a light on reading education assistance dogs, which have been shown to help build children’s confidence and literacy. Be sure to check out the follow-up title, Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog, as well!
Harley the Hero by Peggy Collins
According to the young narrator of this title, Ms. Prichard’s class is the most amazing class at school, and that’s because of Harley, Ms. Prichard’s psychiatric service dog. The kids aren’t allowed to play with Harley, but he does try to lick their feet — something that the narrator’s neurodivergent bestie Amelia does not like. Harley is great at making Ms. Prichard feel safe and keeping the class calm, even when a fire breaks out! But while the other kids run for the door, Amelia is overwhelmed by the fire alarms — Harley to the rescue! Inspired by a true story, this tale of canine courage is a must-read for any classroom.
It Was Supposed to Be Sunny by Samantha Cotterill
Part of Cotterill’s Little Senses series, this title introduces Laila and her autism service dog, Charlie. Laila has her perfect sunshine unicorn birthday party all planned out… until the storms roll in. Laila and her mom try to ease her anxieties by making some last-minute changes, which work at first, but lead to another major hiccup. Young readers of all nuerotypes can learn about Charlie’s role in helping Laila with emotional regulation, as well as how to navigate disappointments — and even turn them into unexpected wins!
Hello Goodbye Dog by Maria Gianferrari, Illustrated by Patrice Barton
Zara and her pet dog Moose are as thick as thieves, so when Zara starts school — where dogs aren’t allowed — Moose is heartbroken. Engineering a series of escapes, Moose tries again and again to visit Zara in class, causing quite the commotion. However, Zara has an idea: enrolling Moose in service dog school so that he can learn how to assist Zara and the rest of her class. Providing an important distinction between service animals and pets while telling a charming tale of canine loyalty, this sweet tale will strike a chord with any animal lover who has a special bond with their pet, be they assistance or otherwise.
We hope that you and your young readers enjoy these stories of service and assistance dogs, and that they inspire you to learn more about how these incredible animals enrich the lives of their owners and communities. Happy reading!
Looking for more inclusive kids’ reads? Check out our article on New Picture Books With Awesome Disability and Chronic Illness Representation.
For all of our recommendations for mini bookworms, check out our Bookshop bookshelf.
