An assist apparatus utilized within a door system to aid in opening the door. The assist apparatus may include one or more door activation devices (e.g., a first door activation device and a second door activation device, such as pulls on opposite sides of a sliding door) that can rotate around a pivot location. Moreover, the assist apparatus may further include one or more assist components operatively coupled to the one or more door activation devices. The door activation device(s) are configured to be operatively coupled to a sliding door and allow for rotation of at least a portion of the door activation device. The assist component(s) of the door activation device(s) aid in opening or closing the sliding door by engaging a door frame, wall, or the like as the door activation device is rotated.