Dogs have been working alongside humans since they were first domesticated thousands of years ago. Among the many jobs that dogs do for us, those trained as service animals are some of the most unique. National Service Dog Month is recognized every September to celebrate the incredible efforts of these special dogs.
History of National Service Dog Month
Initially called National Guide Dog Month, the holiday was established in 2009. A year earlier, Dick Van Patten, the actor and founder of Natural Balance Pet Food, started a fundraising campaign for a guide dog training program in Florida. Later, he extended his efforts to promote a national month to raise awareness and funds for guide dog training programs. Petco’s charitable foundation became involved in 2009, and the first National Guide Dog Month was celebrated in May. The holiday was eventually shifted to September and expanded to include all types of service animals, not just guide dogs.
Celebrating National Service Dog Month
National Service Dog Month is celebrated by raising awareness and educating the public about the essential tasks performed by service dogs. Many companies and brands, especially pet-related ones, partner with organizations that train service dogs to promote their work and raise funds for them. Some local governments may issue their own proclamations or plan events to recognize service dogs or raise money. Individuals can participate in the celebration by donating or volunteering with service dog organizations in their area or nationally.
Understanding Service Dogs
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are trained to perform tasks directly related to assisting people with disabilities. Service dogs can be of any breed, and they do not have to undergo formal training or certification, though most do before they are placed with a disabled person. Guide dogs for the blind are perhaps the best-known service dogs, but they can also be trained to perform many other tasks. For example, they can alert hearing-impaired people to important sounds like the phone, doorbell, or smoke alarm. Mobility dogs can assist people who have difficulty walking. Service animals are also placed with people with emotional or mental health conditions, such as depression or PTSD.
Service dogs that support individuals with mental health conditions can be trained to warn people about upcoming panic attacks or remind them to take medication for their depression. Emotional support animals, however, are not service dogs. They can be any domestic pet and are not trained to perform specific tasks. Rather, they provide comfort and support to their owners purely by their presence.
Conclusion
Service dogs play a crucial role in enabling people with disabilities to live independently and function efficiently in their daily lives. Every September, we celebrate the contributions of these extraordinary dogs during National Service Dog Month. Even though the holiday is just a month long, the organizations and groups that train these dogs are in business year-round and always need support. Interested individuals can find local or national opportunities to help train and place service dogs, even in a small way.
