Get to Know Canine Companions for National Service Dog Month

To most people, getting up to open the door when they hear the doorbell is a simple task, but to some facing physical and auditory disabilities, this task isn’t as simple on their own. What makes the difference isn't some new AI technology or robotic gadget, it's life-changing support provided by service dogs every day.

During National Service Dog Month, we celebrate these extraordinary animals and the profound impact they have on the lives of their human partners. National Service Dog Month is celebrated every September to recognize the role service dogs play in assisting individuals with disabilities. Many people confuse highly trained service dogs with pets and emotional support animals. To celebrate National Service Dog Month, we’re taking time this month to learn about the responsibilities and rights of service dogs and their handlers, along with the rigorous training that service dogs undergo to perform their duties.

Why Is National Service Dog Month Important?

It’s important to increase the public’s awareness of service dogs for a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone. Learning about the training and the role these dogs play in people’s lives leads to better understanding and respect. It’s also beneficial for businesses to be aware of the legal rights and protections service dogs and handlers have under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

Service dogs are life-changing, working animals that allow people to live with greater independence. When we learn more about the amazing tasks the dogs can perform and the day-to-day work they do, we can reduce stigmas and misconceptions. 

Service Dog 101 From Canine Companions

We reached out to one of our long-term clients, Canine Companions (opens in a new window), to learn more about service dogs this month. Canine Companions is one of the largest and oldest assistance dog organizations in the United States. They were founded in 1975 and, as a non-profit organization, they provide their well-trained service dogs at no cost to the recipient.

But, what is a service dog? First and foremost, service dogs are not pets – they are working dogs, trained in specific tasks. They go through training from puppyhood to at least two years old learning how to assist with specific disabilities. Some of the most common types of service dogs include:

• Mobility Assistance: Dogs perform tasks like opening doors and retrieving items. 
• Guide Dogs help visually impaired individuals navigate safely. 
• Hearing Dogs are trained to alert their handler to important sounds like alarms and doorbells. 
• Seizure Response Dogs help during and after an epileptic seizure by summoning for help, protecting the handler from injury, or activating an alert.
• Diabetic Alert Dogs detect high or low blood glucose before levels become dangerous. 
• Psychiatric Service Dogs are tuned into their handler to help with mental or learning disabilities. 
• Allergy Detection Dogs keep handlers safe by sniffing out allergens, like peanuts and gluten, that may cause a fatal reaction.

Canine Companions specializes in training dogs for adults and children with physical or auditory disabilities. They also have a program specifically benefiting veterans in need of a service dog for a disability or PTSD.  

In addition to service dogs, Canine Companions also provides expertly trained dogs to work in healthcare and education facilities. These dogs help clients and patients with special needs. They’ve also just launched a therapy dog pilot program to train dogs for animal-assisted intervention. 

Canine Companions’ Mission to Empower Independence

The mission of Canine Companions is to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs and a lifetime of ongoing follow-up services. They provide these services entirely free of charge. Since 1975, Canine Companions has placed over 8,000 service dogs.

Adults with physical disabilities or deafness are matched with service dogs trained in up to 45 tasks that assist with daily life. They also match children with service dogs that provide physical assistance.

Veterans can be partnered with service dogs for physical or auditory disabilities, and service dogs trained to assist with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.  A dog trained to assist with PTSD helps by interrupting anxiety, waking up a handler having nightmares, and creating a buffer for the veteran in public places.

 Service dogs undergo two years of socialization and at least six months of professional training before being matched with clients. Clients are matched with their dogs during a two-week Team Training, where they learn how to work with their service dogs.

A Conversation With Canine Companions 

To truly understand the essence of their mission, we connected directly with Canine Companions to gain firsthand insights into the remarkable work they do. We discussed some of their challenges, what they wish the public would know more about, and of course, their promotional products! 

Canine Companions has been providing services since 1975 to those in need. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve seen over the last 50 years and how have you overcome them?

Canine Companions relies on the generosity of donors and the dedication of volunteers to place service dogs with clients at no cost. We are always looking for volunteers to care for our breeder dogs and especially volunteers to socialize our future service dogs for the first 18 months. As a national organization, volunteer puppy raisers are needed all across the country to help prepare puppies for their futures as working service dogs. In recent years, volunteerism in all nonprofits has been down significantly – a critical issue for Canine Companions and the nonprofit world in general. This is a constant challenge, but we use awareness campaigns to help recruit volunteers for these vital roles.

How does Canine Companions work to raise awareness about service dogs, the laws and rights surrounding them, and their handlers?

Canine Companions has an advocacy initiative to help raise awareness about the laws and rights of service dogs and their handlers, as well as National Service Dog Month each September to educate the public about this important issue. Volunteer advocates help amplify our voice on issues including fraudulent service dogs and their impact on working service dogs, important legislation, and issues that impact our community.

During National Service Dog Month, Canine Companions celebrates service dogs while educating the public about their important jobs.

 Are there any misconceptions about service dogs you’d like to address?

 A service dog is more than a vest. These dogs are working dogs, not pets, who have undergone a total of two years of socialization and training to be safe and effective helpers in all kinds of places their handlers go. Simply putting a vest on a dog does not make it a service dog, and has serious consequences for real service dogs.

Out-of-control dogs can lead to increased access issues and discrimination for real service dog users. It also poses a physical threat to the safety of working service dogs. 93% of service dog users have encountered poorly-trained dogs in places where pets are not permitted, sometimes resulting in physical altercations that can end the working career of these expert service dogs.

It's also important to note that service dogs like those from Canine Companions love their jobs! They get plenty of time to rest and play, but they are selected for this work because they enjoy the jobs they do. It’s important to let service dogs do their jobs when you see them in public.

How has the demand for service dogs changed over the years?

According to the CDC Disability and Health Data System (opens in a new window), Over 73 million Americans are living with disabilities, but less than 1% benefit from a partnership with a service dog from an accredited organization like Canine Companions. The demand for service dogs is immense and has increased in recent years. Canine Companions places approximately 400 service dogs each year, but the demand for applications is in the thousands.

Can you discuss how you use custom logo products for your organization?

Brand awareness is an important part of fundraising and awareness of Canine Companions’ leadership in the service dog industry in general. We have a robust base of volunteers who love showing their support for our mission through branded apparel and pet products. Brand recognition also helps our clients with service dogs be recognized as having best-in-class service dogs.

How do they support spreading awareness? 

Branded products definitely help raise awareness for our organization and our important mission! People see our logo and know that they are supporting a top-notch organization that provides the best service dogs out there.

How do promotional items help with fundraising?

Branded products can be helpful incentives for encouraging new and existing donors to support our mission. Sometimes, that little touch makes a difference because a product is unique enough to inspire an extra gift.

What have been your favorite promo items?

Sometimes the small promo items are the most effective! From pens, bags, and more, people want to show off their Canine Companions swag!

What promo giveaway has been a fan-favorite item? 

Our fans love anything that helps them show their Canine Companions pride! If it has a puppy on it, even better! There’s honestly not a single fan-favorite item. They’re all pretty popular because our fans really believe in what they are doing for our mission.

What are some things the everyday person should know about service dogs, and how can they get involved?

You can learn more about National Service Dog Month (opens in a new window) or about our organization at canine.org (opens in a new window). There are so many ways to support Canine Companions, volunteer, donate, or apply for a life-changing service dog.

What do you wish more people knew about Canine Companions and service dogs in general?

It takes a village to raise a service dog, and Canine Companions has such an amazing community. Fifty years after our founding, our goal is the same: to enhance independence for people with disabilities at no cost to our clients. Service dogs can be the difference between relying on others for basic tasks and getting out into the world independently with the help of an amazing four-legged helper who provides confidence and self-reliance.

Celebrate Independence & National Service Dog Month with 4AllPromos & Canine Companions

As we celebrate National Service Dog Month, it's clear that the work of Canine Companions is more than just training dogs, it's about creating partnerships between dogs and handlers that transform lives. Through their dedication and hard work, Canine Companions places close to 400 dogs each year, giving those individuals independence.

Support and advocacy for this incredible organization open up new possibilities every day. Canine Companions continues to grow and provide their expertly trained dogs at no cost. To get involved or learn more about the indelible impact of service dogs, visit Canine Companions. Help them boost their brand awareness too when you buy their custom logo merchandise and spread the word about service dogs all over town.