National Service Dog Month

September is National Service Dog Month, a time marked to pay tribute to the animals who support Americans with special training to help with people dealing with vision impairment, medical issues, mental health, and many other areas.

Service dogs are specially trained animals working with people with medical issues as helpers and as therapy,  and have special legal protections to allow both dog and owner to be in places where there is otherwise a no animals policy or not pets policy.

Service dogs should not be confused with untrained comfort animals or house pets. While pets, service dogs and comfort animals may be beneficial for their owners, only the service dog receives protection (and access) under the law in places where most pets and some comfort animals are not permitted.