Service Dog Movies to Watch

I am a sucker for great dog movies to watch in general, but movies about dogs who have a real mission or job in life can bring me to almost tears at any time.

If anyone in your family is thinking about getting a service dog, it can help to watch a movie or two about them with the kids. Service Dog Movies can help give them an understanding of what the furry new addition to the family might be like.

Best Dog Movies to Watch

Here are the best service dog movies to watch and they are all on Amazon right now – they make for a great family movie night!

Buddy (2018)

Heddy Honigmann, the famous documentary filmmaker from the Netherlands, explores the bonding between humans and dogs through this poignant masterpiece. The director closely follows as many as six service dogs and their owners and shows us how much the service dogs mean to people with needs.

Each person had different medical conditions, and it was amazing to see how much a service dog can do. The director explores the profound connection that humans enjoy with their dogs and reminds us of the bitter truth – they live with us for a limited time only! It is a simple film that salutes the main characters’ fighting spirit and exalts the beautiful relationship between the men and their dogs. 

You can watch the Buddy here

Adele and Everything After (2017)

Adele and Everything After is the first attempt at a documentary feature from the noted filmmaker Melissa Dowler. It is a simple film that explores the extraordinary relationship between a woman and her service dog. The film revolves around Boston resident Marty Harris, who decides to take the help of a service dog after suffering from frequent fainting episodes due to her cardiac condition.

Taking dogs’ help in cardiac issues is unheard of, but she decided to take the bold step. In comes Adele, a black lab, which alerts Harris whenever her blood pressure falls and even helps her to check her fainting episodes! She is so impressed that she decides to live her life to the fullest with her service dog’s help. Even if you are not known to be an animal lover, the film will fill your heart with joy as the director tells Adele’s story with great empathy. 

You can watch Adele and Everything After here

To Be of Service (2019)

It is one of the best documentary feature films about service dogs that hit the big screen in recent times. Directed by Josh Aronson (Academy Award-nominated), the film features Jon Bon Jovi’s new song. The film revolves around war veterans who are suffering from PTSD OR Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. They are united with a service dog so that they can regain their lives.

Even families and the old jobs seem foreign to them on their return, and they seem to be disconnected from the post-war world. In a nutshell, they struggled to get back to civilian life. The authorities were initially reluctant to sanction service dogs’ use for helping the warriors to everyday life. Still, once the approval came, it was probably the most significant gift for these people.

The service dogs gave a sense of purpose and companionship for these men and women. The film’s most significant takeaway is the story of Greg, a war veteran from Iraq who had to spend as many as 19 days in a coma after a failed suicide attempt. But his life and thinking change when he meets a Golden Retriever service dog by the name of Valor. 

You can watch To Be of Service here

Pick of the Litter (2018)

Pick of the Litter is a new age documentary that shows the training of dogs so that they become service companions for the people who cannot see. This film is not aimed at young people but is suitable for people of all ages.

The tone of the film has a positive nature, and people can learn a lot about a guide dog program’s workings. The film’s opening montage has testimonies of different blind people who were saved by these wonderfully trained dogs in various life-threatening situations. 

You can watch Pick of the Litter here

Megan Leavey (2017)

Megan Leavey is a drama film that is based on the true story of a Marine corporal who made all efforts to keep the lives of fellow soldiers safe by working with a bomb-sniffing combat team. Megan, played by Kate Mara, and Rex (her dog) are both considered utterly unpredictable and aggressive, but they work together and eventually become close to each other.

The movie has several violent scenes, and in one of those scenes, both Megan and Rex got injured. The language is a bit strong for the young people, but the best part is that the viewers will learn a lot about the Marines’ war dogs and their courage and perseverance. 

You can watch Megan Leavey here 

Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog (2012)

The main reason why this film is so different from other films of the same genre is that it is about a dog who looks and acts realistically from every angle. Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog may have the cover of a documentary but is based on the true life of a Labrador who acted as a guide dog for the blind. This film is about the devotion and compassion of the guide dog.

It is a Japanese language film and should appeal to all people if reading subtitles is not a problem. The dog looks cute, and his devotion towards the ill-tempered aged man deserves special mention. The film follows Quill, the Labrador, who successfully helps his master enjoy and trust other people and have faith in Quill, his guide dog. 

You can watch Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog here.

What do you think of our list – did we miss any must-see movie that is a favorite of yours? Let us know in the comments!

Check out these other great tips for dogs:

• Guide Dogs: Navigating the World for Individuals with Visual Impairments
• Training an Australian Shepherd as a Migraine Service Dog: Tips and Techniques
• Can Dogs Eat Black Pepper? What You Need to Know
• Service Dogs are Trained for Specific Tasks: The Training Process Explained
• Can Dogs Eat Sherbet? Everything You Need to Know