Study: Service dogs are interpreting the needs of the humans they assist

A Finnish study examining interaction between humans and their assistance dogs has found that these working canines actively contribute to their owners’ care beyond helping with practical tasks. Investigators determined the care provided by assistance dogs was based on mutual trust and continuous interpretation, or ‘reading,’ between animal and human.¹

The study—conducted by faculty of the University of Turku and the Aalto University, both in Finland—found that humans and dogs learn to interpret each other without speaking. Non-verbal cues such as subtle gestures, movements, and reactions are being observed and read by each other, according to investigators.¹

“Care work is the results of bodily interaction, meaning small gestures and the working dog’s sensitivity to interpreting people and responding to the needs of those who require assistance,” Suvi Satama, assistant professor of management and organization for the University of Turku, explained in a news release.¹

‘Assistance dogs’ encompass service animals, therapy dogs, emotional support pets as well as canines working in other capacities for the healthcare industry. Canines working in sports, recreation and agriculture as well as those trained for military and public service duties such as those in criminal justice and education, are also considered ‘assistance dogs.’^2,3

Investigators Satama and Astrid Huopalainen, an assistant professor in the department of management studies at Aalto University, analyzed the lives of 13 assistance dogs and their human companions for their study. The pair relied on interviews, ethnographic observations, and photographs to draw their conclusions.¹

Situations observed by Satama and Huopalainen included human reliance on assistance dogs’ judgements rather than their own when it came to their medical care.“For example, a person with diabetes must rely on the dog when the dog detects changes in blood sugar. When the person responds to the dog’s signal and checks their blood sugar or follows the dog’s alert to take the necessary medication in time, serious situations can be avoided,” Satama said.¹

The study also highlights the subtle dimensions of care and power dynamics between humans and canines that comes with interspecies assistance work, according to the investigators.¹ Huopalainen, who has previously studied human-animal interactions, has advocated for awareness of how power is used in interspecies dynamics and has encouraged empathy through her research.⁴

“By dismantling these power structures, we can act as individuals and consumers for a better multispecies planet and a more sustainable future. Awareness and knowledge don’t just increase empathy towards animals but also between people,” Huopalainen said in an earlier news release.⁴

The investigators hope that the study would spark a discussion about the diverse roles of animals and their well-being at work in different organizations. “When we recognize animals as agential caregivers, we can also better understand the care work between humans and its various dimensions”, Satama emphasized.¹

References

1. Assistance dogs interpret needs of the person they assist non-verbally. News release. University of Turku. April 14, 2026. Accessed April 14, 2026. https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/assistance-dogs-interpret-needs-of-the-person-they-assist-non-verbally
2. Hearts of Gold. Types of assistance animals and their differentiating factors. West Virginia University Hearts of Gold. Accessed April 14, 2026. https://heartsofgold.wvu.edu/service-dogs/types-of-assistance-dogs
3. Canine Companions. Know the differences: service dogs, emotional support animals and more. Canine Companions. Accessed April 14, 2026. https://canine.org/service-dogs/service-dog-month/service-dog-differences/
4. Revealing dynamics of power: building empathy through animals. Aalto University. August 18, 2023. Accessed April 14, 2026. https://www.aalto.fi/en/news/revealing-dynamics-of-power-building-empathy-through-animals