National Service Dog Month 2026: When & How to Celebrate
Dogs are extremely important animals to humans for many reasons, and none are more hard-working than service dogs. That’s why we dedicate the entire month of September to these animals each year. If you have one of these dogs or know someone who does, keep reading as we discuss how it got started and what you can do to show appreciation for these wonderful helpers.
When Is National Service Dog Month?
September is National Service Dog Month, and it began in 2009, making it around 15 years old.
How Did National Service Dog Month Get Started?
Dick Van Patten, the founder of Natural Balance Pet Food, began a fundraising effort in 2008 for a guide dog training program, which he expanded to promote a national month to raise awareness of the importance of guide dogs. Petco’s charitable organization got involved in 2009 and held the first Guide Dog Month in May of that year. Soon after, the celebration moved to September, and they decided to include all service dogs instead of just guide dogs, and National Service Dog Month was born.
How Do We Celebrate National Service Dog Month?
Donate
Donating to your local service dog organization is one of the best ways to celebrate National Service Dog Month. If you don’t have much money, you can donate your time to help walk the dogs or provide other valuable services.
Raise Awareness
You can help raise awareness about service dogs and National Service Dog Month by sharing posts and pictures on social media. You can tag people you know who use service dogs and ask them to share their stories.
Set Aside Extra Time
If you use a service dog, you can celebrate National Service Dog Month by setting aside extra time to play with them and give them extra treats to show how much you care about them.
Why Is National Service Dog Month Important?
- It’s important because it acknowledges how important these dogs are to humans and raises awareness about the many things that we couldn’t do without them.
- Holidays like National Service Dog Month can help remind people to take the time to thank their pets for all that they do.
- It helps raise awareness about all the different jobs that these dogs do.
- National Service Dog Month helps raise important donations that fund service dog training centers so a dog can be available when someone needs one.
Conclusion
National Service Dog Month is a month-long celebration where we thank the many important service dogs in the country. It also helps raise awareness about what these dogs do and funds that help pay for the training and shelter of these dogs. It started in 2009 as a combined effort between the Petco charity organization and Dick Van Patten. It’s celebrated in September, and you can participate by donating your money or time, helping to spread awareness, and spending extra time with your pet.
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Featured Image Credit: 24K_Production, Shutterstock
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Ed Malaker is a seasoned writer who has contributed to a wide range of blogs covering everything from tools to guitars, and pets to fitness. When Ed isn't writing, he is usually making DIY projects around the house or working in the garden.
