Service Pokemon Headcanons
Recent asks got me thinking about service pokemon so I thought it would be fun to write down some ideas about how I think the system works overall
Similar to real life, in order for a pokemon to be considered a service pokemon it has to be trained and certified by the region the trainer lives in. The pokemon has to wear some kind of identification, usually in the form of a vest, and the trainer needs to keep a copy of the certification on hand in case the pokemon causes trouble or disrupts those around it. However, these can and typically are digital and any Rotom phone, poketch, pokedex, etc is equipped to pull it up at the press of a button
Pokemon are classified into categories based on size: A, B, C, and D. A is any pokemon that can be safely tucked under the arm or carried in a purse / bag, B is any pokemon that can fit in the lap of an average adult, C is anything the size of or smaller than a human, and D is everything larger than that. These classifications are mostly relevant for indoor venues and accommodations: you're unlikely to have a problem with a Class A-C pokemon, but Class D pokemon are pretty unlikely to be able to fit in doors or shopping aisles and have some trouble outside of their balls. There's been a lot of controversy in the pokemon world about whether service pokemon the size of people should be charged as an extra passenger, especially since they need their own seat (the answer, btw, as a resounding "no")
Generally speaking, the types preferred for service pokemon are normal, fighting, fairy, psychic, and electric. Normal types are good all rounders, fighting types are excellent for mobility assistance, electric types shine for those with service devices, psychic types can predict accidents and have the intelligence and dexterity for complicated tasks, and fairy types are great at emotional support. Other types CAN be service pokemon, but for practicality reasons they're not as common. The inherent talents of the species is also relevant
You can get your own pokemon trained as a service pokemon, and those who become disabled later in life will often do this because of their existing bond with their partner. Thus, there are plenty of unorthodox service pokemon out there
