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Everyone has wanted to visit the Pokemon world at least once, either to become a great trainer, breeder, coordinator, or anything in between. But just like in their world, we also have our own companions who can help us in need. Service Animals, trained to help their person, are a cornerstone in some of our lives. As someone who suffers from PTSD and Anxiety Disorder I wish to one day adopt a friend for myself. So, I decided to answer a question that literally nobody was asking; What Pokemon would be great service animals?
Because I'm not a professional in any sense of the word, I had to make a few rules that best would encompass each situation. All Pokemon are based off of either Physical Traits or Pokedex entries (so no anime exclusive references here). The person who owns these pokemon are just a regular person in our world, not a pokemon trainer. These pokemon will not be meant for battles, but instead these pokemon would be used like a service animal in our world, trained to do specific things for their specific person. Since this is also going in the direction of service animals, legendary pokemon are NOT allowed and how common they are is a factor in being on this list. Some pokedex entries may directly contradict things we’ve seen in the anime, so this will be a case by case basis. As per usual, I am in no way an expert on service animals, pokemon, mental or physical status, etc. I just thought this might be a fun list to put together, and if you have any Pokemon you think should have made the list, let me know!
Photo drawn by Studarts Maju, based off Nuoance's Nuzlock team.
Before we get into the nitty gritty of my top (10) Pokemon for Service List, we need to first understand what a service animal is. Referencing UDS’ definition: According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, service dogs are specially trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities. These disabilities can be physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or mental. So our list will be containing pokemon that can assist their trainer with at least one of these. Next there are certain characteristics that your service pokemon needs to be considered a good fit. Even if the pokemon seems like it’d be helpful, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will work well with humans. These key characteristics are:
- A desire to work. Your service dog should be happier on a walk or at the dog park than they are laying around at home.
- A calm demeanor. Your service dog can’t cause disturbances in public or be easily startled by their surroundings.
- Intelligence. Your service dog has to perform complex tasks that require innate intelligence and good decision making.
- A friendly disposition. Your service dog must be friendly and comfortable around people and other animals.
- A loving disposition. Your service dog must be able to form a strong bond to best serve your needs.
Finally, we have the type of service that a service animal provides. These services are: Allergy Detection, Autism, Diabetic, Guide, Hearing, Mobility, Psychiatric, and Seizure service animals. Each pokemon must be categorized into at least the majority of characteristics and at least one task that it could complete to be considered on this list. This also means that certain pokemon that may at first glace be a great match, like the Ralts evolution directly sensing a trainer’s emotions, could actually be a terrible choice, since their health depends on their trainer’s disposition. You wouldn’t put a service animal with someone that you know would bring it harm, even if they can do their job well and help. We aren’t inhumane heare, so if a choice seemed obvious to you, maybe look a bit more into who that pokemon is and what its needs could be before leaving that angry comment and just embarrassing yourself. With that, lets get to it.
Screenshot of a Chatot that would visit sick children in a hospital.
First up, some honorable mentions:
Pansage: It's a very kindhearted pokemon who goes out of its way to take care of those in need, and its leaves are known for reducing stress. However, the complete switch of personality when it evolves is just too much of a risk for people who need some stability in their lives. There will be pokemon on the main list who also have evolutionary problems, and while this would need a bit more of a conscious effort, the extreme 180 personality switch is too much of a risk to put people who would need less stress in.
Gabite: Interestingly enough, the scales on Gabite are used for medicine and are said to be able to cure even illnesses that are incurable. Not really a service animal quality, but pretty cool.
Chikorita: This little guy has, like most grass types, a sweet smell that is known to calm foes. Its third evolution, Meganium, also has these same properties. The problem comes in with Bayleaf, its mid-evolution. Bayleaf’s scent doesn’t calm others down, it instead riles them up for fights, and can also give energy. If a trainer gets a Chikorita to stay calm, this mid-evolution would be the hardest thing to get through.
Muuna: This little dream eater could be really helpful for those who suffered a traumatic experience if they're having nightmares, but that's about it. It wouldn’t have any medical advantages once their trainer is awake, and I’m sure a diet of nightmares isn’t always good for them.
Indeedee: These pokemon were made strictly to serve, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a good fit as service Pokemon. The males specialize in valet, while the females help with babysitting, but even then that isn’t enough to have a special skill set for people who need a service animal.
Audino: This pokemon is just a knock-off chansey, without the benefits. While it does have the ability to sense how a trainer is feeling, and this is helpful and can be utilized, in terms of the usefulness compared to the original it doesn’t quite make the list. (Fun fact, Audino is also my least favorite Pokemon.)
Alolan Raticate: While this Pokemon wouldn’t be willing to work by nature, it would be by the payout. These summer lovin’ rodents only eat the finest of food, and will use their nose to make sure the meal is only the highest of quality. This would be fantastic to use for someone with serious food allergies. Its intelligent enough to lead an entire pack of rattatas, while its pudgy cheeks give it that weird level of cuteness that would be considered non-threatening to people who aren’t rat-haters.
A group of Alolan Raticates and Rattatas chowing down on some berries.
10. This little birdy is known to find its way home, no matter how far away that may be. A Pidgey itself is also small enough to not accidentally cause any serious harm to someone who is older, and may be suffering from alzhimers. It is also known as a very docile pokemon, so the fear of this pokemon attacking someone randomly is unlikely. This little hero can be given to either children or older folks who can’t find their way back home as a Pokemon that specializes in Guide or Autism. Unlike other pokemon on this list, you don’t have to worry about this one evolving randomly so it also can continue to stay small and portable for public use. My one concern is that Pidgeys, while being docile, doesn’t really mean that it has a willingness to work or is a calmer pokemon. These creatures, just like our own regular birds, are seen constantly flying away when spooked and may not be the best choice in situations where they could feel endangered, which is why it sits at number 10.
Pidgey's Pros and Cons
9. Whenever I’m asked what kind of pokemon I’d have, Shuppet is one of the first. As its pokedex states; It feeds on the dark emotions of sadness and hatred, which make it grow steadily stronger. And as shown in the anime, this little pokemon has the power to not only eat these emotions, but by taking them from their trainer, the trainer loses all sense of anger that they had. Its desire to work comes from it feeds on these emotions, so by helping their trainer by taking these spikes of negative emotions they are growing. Secondly, Shuppets don’t feel the emotion they are eating, they will stay calmer in a more dangerous situation where a person is having a panic attack or moment of relapse from an addictive substance. They’re smart pokemon in general, and can look plenty friendly. Look at that little smile. I don’t think these pokemon would be super loving, at least as a default. Maybe some can be specially trained for this kind of work to show more compassion, but usually they’re pretty mischievous. As guessed, I’d recommend these pokemon for the Psychiatric cases, since they are able to sense emotions. These pokemon could be out in public easily, as they don’t take much space and if trained they won’t cause trouble. If a Shuppet senses a panic attack or PTSD moment, they could warn either those around their trainer OR the trainer themselves to go somewhere to calm down. One of the biggest concerns is that a Shuppet isn’t very heavy compared to standard service dogs, and one form of therapy is when the service dog lays on your chest for comfort. That wouldn’t be as possible with this tiny little shuppet.
Shuppet's Pros and Cons
8. As it stands, Bulbasaur would have the size and mobility to reach items and do tasks for their person. It is a very intelligent pokemon, and a natural caretaker that could help keep things in order if the trainer doesn’t have the energy to. I feel like it would specialize as a Mobility or Guide Service Pokemon. The downside of a Bulbasaur is that once it evolves, it becomes bigger, which could be an adjustment. Since its a pokemon that isn’t being trained to battle, it has a chance of getting its bulb too big and making this perky pokemon lose its mobility, as well as during the time when it is close to evolving it tends to lounge in the sun a lot more. However, on the bright side of that, once it does evolve into Venasaur its petals are known for soothing the emotions of humans and animals alike, though it will struggle to fit inside a standard house, since it is a little over 6ft tall AND wide. Bulbasaur is also one of the few pokemon who can evolve without any training canonically, since their pokedex does mention that all it needs to gather strength is sunlight, so the only way to keep your bulbasaur from evolving is to leave it indoors, but since it needs that sun to survive, you’d be abusing the pokemon to keep it from getting bigger. This is a pokemon that would be good for a home that is already pretty large, or has open windows throughout the house for a venasaur to fit its vine whip into. There is also the idea of giving it an everstone, but I’m not sure how easily accessible it’d be to get one in the pokemon world, so that may not be very realistic on a regular basis. Otherwise, I don’t recommend getting this tiny tyke.
Bulbasaur's Pros and Cons
7. Altaria was one of those pokemon that I looked up just because I said that I needed to look at every pokemon, and didn’t realize that it was perfect for the job. Altaria’s singing are known for being beautiful, and entrancing those around it. People who are prone to panic attacks or fits of rage can use this as a way to ground themselves, and a great bonus is once a trainer and an Altaria have a connection, Altarias are known to do something which in our world is known as Deep Pressure Therapy, which is when a service animal provides a firm but gentle pressure to the person in need that relaxes the nervous system. Done properly this technique can trigger a chain reaction in the body that releases an overall sense of calm and peace. They’re also evolved from natural cleaners, so where it can it could also help keep the place clean, which also can improve moods. The only downside of having this pokemon around is its size. While it isn’t necessarily tall, this pokemon has a wingspan that is at least double the height of its body, and could easily get in the way or knock over items. Taking this pokemon into a crowded restaurant also isn’t very feasible, which means in terms of portability Altaria would be one of the lowest.
Altaria's Pros and Cons
6. Sylveon is a natural on this list, but its limitations on what it can do keeps it near the middle. This loving pokemon has feelers that it uses to hold their trainer’s hand, and can send out calming waves to keep them feeling safe and calm. This pokemon can also send these waves to others to diffuse conflict between people and pokemon. Sylveon are also intelligent, so they would excel with trainers who need guidance, psychiatric, or mobility help. This little cutie could also help with those who are autsitic, and I feel would personally thrive being a service pokemon for this very reason since its evolutionary needs could be a focus point for the trainer who needs it. Its a natural to help those it loves lands it a spot on this list, but the effort that goes into training one puts it further back. A sylveon isn’t trained naturally through battle, or friendship, or a stone like most others here. It is one of the few pokemon that need to feel love from their trainer, which means that its a long start to prepare your eevee, and trying to keep it from evolving when its still friendly to you could cause stress.
Sylveon's Pros and Cons
5.If I’ve learned one thing through TikTok, its that people love to care for plants. Like...REALLY. LOVE. PLANTS. And apparently, its also good for you mentally and sometimes physically. Because of this, Roselia is next to jump on the list. There are a few reasons for this. First off, Roselia wouldn’t be like other service pokemon, where they would have to be specially trained to work with their human. Instead these potent pokemon can do their job just by living. Using Hillside Atlanta as my source, gardening can help Improve your mood, relieve stress and anxiety, prolong attention spans, and boosts self esteem. Those who need psychiatric help, or families with an autistic member could see an improvement having a literal walking rosebush who, if times were tough, could also self sustain since it isn’t rooted to the ground. Roselia also emits a scent that is known to calm those who smell it, which only gets better the better its being taken care of. Having that physical change to show that your pokemon is happy and well taken care of can be a great booster to keep your spirits high. The reason I picked this pokemon over the hundreds of other grass types is because of its look in general. I have a soft spot for roses, so honestly probably any grass type that has a nice scent may work, but also because its actually one of the few grass types that doesn’t have an easy evolution. To become Roserade, you need to give Roselia a Shiny Stone, which is not at all common in the pokemon world. This ensures the trainer that unless they were extremely lucky their Roselia may never evolve, and if it did it’d be far enough down the line that not even evolution would stop it from doing its job.
Roselia's Pros and Cons
4.Next up is Azumarill, the loveable bubbly water type pokemon. Now, there are a few pokemon I’d like to avoid putting on this list in terms of typing. Out of these, the biggest ones are Electric and Fire types, as both can be extremely dangerous with their basic moves. Water types are also tentatively there, just because most need extra care to survive, and a service fish is...interesting. However Azumarill is one of the few exceptions on this list. Its able to handle itself even without being in water all the time, which is already a plus, but I can see this good natured pokemon as a guide and hearing help for those in need. Especially if someone who needs a service animal enjoys going on adventures like hiking. Those long ears are extremely skilled at being able to tell whats in a rushing river without even looking, so it would be a big help for those hearing impared. On top of that, while long distance attacks from most pokemon would do some damage like burns, cuts, or paralysis, water type moves are just….water. And that pressure can be lessened on a well trained pokemon to help move someone out of the way in a pinch. The final nail in the coffin is that one of the hobbies that this little hero has is it goes out of its way to save drowning pokemon or people by making air bubbles for them to hide in until they are able to get out of the water, which shows its eagerness to work and help those in need.
Azumarill's Pros and Cons
3. What kind of list would this be if a Chansey wasn’t on it? We already know this popular pokemon is used in PokeCenters, but did you know they also have uses in the regular home? Unsurprisingly, I feel like Chansey is one of the few pokemon that can help with many different Service Animal Needs. They may not be able to tell if food has allergens in the food, but in a pinch their eggs are heavily filled with nutrients that could hold them off until the trainer is in a safer to eat location. Chanceys are patient enough to work with those who are Autistic, and their extremely friendly and loving disposition could keep someone calm and positive in stressful situations. They’re also big enough that I assume they could completely block out any triggers with their body alone, so perhaps be trained to help with those in Psychiatric needs as well. I honestly feel like there is no downside to a Chansey being a service animal, minus probably the price they’d cost for how rare they are in general. The best part is, when evolved Blissey becomes even more helpful to their trainer since they are now able to sense their trainer’s feelings and be great as Psychiatric help.
Chansey's and Blissey's Pros and Cons
2. Slurpuff is a pokemon that is often used in bakeries to keep the pastries using only the best ingredients, but did you know that it has a ton more uses than that? A Slurpuff’s sense of smell is 100 times stronger than a human’s, compared to a dog’s on average 40 times. These fairy types are also able to use their sense of smell to understand human’s physical and mental states, and work accordingly. Because of these great qualities, Slurpuff can be used for Diabetics, Allergies, Psychiatric, Seizure, and Hearing help, which makes it second on the list. Already having been used constantly with Pastry Chefs, we know this pokemon has to have a level of intelligence to understand what can and can’t go into the dessert they’re making, as well as a big enough work ethic to do it for long hours of the day, as a pastry chef averages 10 hours per day. Its also small enough to bring into public without needing much extra accommodations, which can help reduce anxiety about their appearance being denied. Plus how can you NOT see a loving face from this cute little guy? He's just the definition of friendly!
Slurpuff's Pros and Cons
1. This pokemon is usually used as an officer’s partner, but did you know that a Growlithe could also be used for food and diabetic detection? A hard worker, this pokemon equals to work ethic only to Chansey, and is cute while doing it. Ignoring the standard “its a dog” comments, my big concern with pokemon like Growlithe is that it is a fire type. Most of the pokemon on this list are those who aren’t fire or electrical types, strictly because these are very dangerous pokemon to have in your house compared to others. But Growlithe is one that can be easily trained, with an amazing temper, a strong will, and a very intelligent breed. A Growlithe can remember a smell it is given forever, so give it that whiff of peanut butter and it’ll know its in your food a mile away. I feel like it could also be an amazing guide and hearing dog, since it does learn commands easily, and since its nose can pick up faint smells, a seizure alert dog would also be beneficial. Did you know that someone who is about to have an eplieptic seizure gives off a faint smell that dogs can pick up? This is how animals are trained to warn their person to get ready for an attack. Overall I felt that this pokemon is, once again ignoring the dog stereotype, the perfect service animal and can effectively help with every need. The best part as well is unlike Chansey and Blissey, this little guy is portable, and can fit into smaller spaces, and the only way to make it evolve is if you consciously give it a fire stone. Because of all that, Growlithe takes the lead at what I personally believe is the number 1 perfect service pokemon.
Growlithe's Pros (no cons)
And that does it for today's lists! What did you think about each of these Pokemon? I spent roughly three weeks looking at each and every Pokemon's pokedex entry, from every generation. This was one of my most researched topics, and I condensed it down to finally end up with these ten winners. Did any of them take you by surprise? Let me know, and make sure to also watch the original video, links down below!
References:
https://udservices.org/blog/types-of-service-dogs/
https://hside.org/plants-improve-mental-physical-health/
Original Video: