Celebrating National Service Dog Month: Honoring the Heroes Who Change Lives Daily

Santa Rosa, CA, September 9, 2025 — September marks National Service Dog Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the incredible impact these specially trained canines have on the lives of people with disabilities. From guiding the blind, detecting medical conditions and emergencies, to providing comfort for veterans with PTSD, and more, service dogs provide invaluable support that transforms daily challenges into manageable tasks.

This year holds special significance as the service dog community celebrates major milestones, corporate partnerships reach new heights, and awareness grows about both the tremendous need for these working animals and the life-changing difference they make for their human partners.

The Life-Changing Impact of Service Dogs

Service dogs are individually trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities, going far beyond the role of a typical pet or emotional support animal. According to recent statistics, there are an estimated 500,000 service dogs currently working in the United States, serving people with a wide range of disabilities. These remarkable dogs assist with a variety of tasks including:

• Guide Dogs: Assisting visually impaired individuals by navigating obstacles and busy streets
• Hearing Dogs: Alerting people who are deaf or hard of hearing to important sounds
• Medical Alert Dogs: Detecting seizures, blood sugar changes, or other medical emergencies
• Psychiatric Service Dogs: Helping individuals with PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health conditions
• Autism Assistance Dogs: Supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorders
• Mobility Assistance Dogs: Providing balance support, retrieving objects, and assisting with physical tasks
• Allergy Detection Dogs: Identifying dangerous allergens in the environment

According to the CDC, roughly 61 million Americans are living with disabilities—about 26% of the population—but less than 1% of them are able to work with service dogs due to availability, costs, and other barriers.

Canine Companions: 50 Years of Independence

Leading the charge in service dog training is Canine Companions, the first and largest provider of service dogs in the United States. This year marks a special milestone as the organization celebrates its 50th anniversary, having transformed more than 8,300 lives since 1975 when they pioneered the concept of the modern service dog.

The organization’s comprehensive training program is impressive in its scope. Service dogs spend their first 16 to 18 months with volunteer puppy raisers, learning basic tasks and socializing in various environments. They then undergo six to nine months of professional training, mastering up to 45 different tasks before graduating with their human partner. Perhaps most remarkably, all Canine Companions service dogs and follow-up services are provided completely free of charge to recipients.

Corporate Support Makes a Difference

This National Service Dog Month showcases how corporate America has stepped up to support service dog organizations in meaningful ways. Several major companies are demonstrating their commitment through significant partnerships and donations.

Eukanuba’s Long-Standing Partnership

Pet nutrition brand Eukanuba is showing its commitment through a special partnership with Canine Companions this September, donating $5 for every product purchased with funds going directly to support the nonprofit’s mission. This partnership isn’t new – Eukanuba has been the exclusive dog food partner of Canine Companions for over 30 years, providing science-based nutrition specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of working service dogs.

“In honor of National Service Dog Month, Eukanuba is proud to use this donation to support our longtime partner, Canine Companions,” said Jason Taylor, vice president of Eukanuba. “We are honored to play a part in furthering their commitment to provide service dogs at no cost to the recipient, changing lives through greater independence.”

Petco Love Foundation’s Ongoing Commitment

Petco Love Foundation continues to play a significant role through their Helping Heroes campaign, which accepts contributions at Petco stores and online throughout 2025. Since 2012, the foundation has invested more than $14 million to support service and therapy animal organizations throughout the United States. Petco Foundation played a crucial role in the early development of National Service Dog Month, partnering with Dick Van Patten in 2009 to establish the first Guide Dog Month celebration.

The Dogtopia Foundation’s Impact

The Dogtopia Foundation has made remarkable progress since 2017, raising $4.7 million and supporting 678 service dogs while helping 608 veteran-service dog teams graduate through their Service Dogs for Veterans program. The foundation recently celebrated the milestone of sponsoring more than 500 service dogs for veterans, raising over $3 million through their network of daycare centers.

American Humane’s Veteran Focus

American Humane Society‘s Pups4Patriots program specifically addresses the needs of veterans, providing service dogs at no cost despite the intensive training that costs upwards of $30,000 per service dog. The organization focuses on harnessing the healing powers of the human-animal bond to assist veterans with conditions including Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury.

The Wait for Independence

Despite the incredible work being done, the need for service dogs far exceeds the current supply. More than 500 people are currently on waiting lists to receive a service dog from Canine Companions alone. This waiting period represents not just statistics, but real people whose lives could be significantly improved with the right canine partner.

The extensive training required for service dogs means this isn’t a quick process. Each dog represents a significant investment of time, resources, and expertise before they’re ready to change someone’s life.

How You Can Get Involved

National Service Dog Month offers several ways for communities to show support:

Education and Awareness: Learn about service dog etiquette – remember that these are working animals, and it’s important not to pet, feed, or distract them while they’re on duty.

Support Organizations: Consider donating to reputable service dog organizations or volunteering as a puppy raiser if you’re able to commit the time and energy required.

Advocacy: Support legislation that protects the rights of service dog handlers and prevents discrimination.

Spread the Word: Share information about service dogs on social media and help educate others about their important role.

Looking Forward

As we celebrate National Service Dog Month, it’s important to recognize that service dogs represent more than just well-trained animals – they’re life-changing partners that provide independence, confidence, and companionship to people with disabilities. Whether they’re helping a veteran cope with PTSD, assisting someone navigate the world without sight, or providing stability for someone with mobility challenges, these remarkable dogs truly earn the title of “hero.”

The story of National Service Dog Month itself demonstrates how one person’s recognition of these animals’ value can create lasting change. Dick Van Patten’s initial inspiration at Guide Dogs of the Desert has grown into a nationwide movement that continues to raise awareness and funds for service dog programs across America.

The partnership between organizations like Canine Companions and supportive companies shows how the private sector can meaningfully contribute to causes that matter. With continued corporate support, increased public awareness, and growing recognition from state governments, we move closer to a world where everyone who needs a service dog can access one without facing years-long waiting lists.

This September, take a moment to appreciate the service dogs you might encounter in your community, and remember the incredible difference they make in their partners’ lives every single day. These four-legged heroes deserve our recognition, respect, and support – not just during National Service Dog Month, but throughout the entire year.