National Guide Dog Month
September 1 - September 30
About National Guide Dog Month
National Guide Dog Month is observed throughout September each year in the United States. It celebrates guide dogs and the organisations that breed, raise and train them, while raising funds and awareness to support the work of guide dog schools across the country. The observance was created by the late actor Dick Van Patten, co-founder of pet food company Natural Balance, and has long been supported by the Petco Foundation.
What is National Guide Dog Month?
National Guide Dog Month is an annual awareness and fundraising campaign dedicated to guide dogs and the visually impaired people they serve. It recognises the extraordinary skill of these working animals, honours the volunteer puppy raisers and professional trainers behind them, and encourages donations to the non-profit schools that provide guide dogs free of charge to those who need them. The month is also an opportunity to educate the public about how to behave around a working guide dog and the access rights of handlers.
When is National Guide Dog Month?
National Guide Dog Month takes place every September, running from Tuesday, 1 September to Wednesday, 30 September 2026. It is a fixed observance covering the whole month rather than a single date. When it was first established in 2009 it was held in May, but it was moved to September the following year to avoid clashing with other major charitable fundraising drives.
Why National Guide Dog Month Matters
A guide dog transforms the independence, mobility and confidence of a person who is blind or has low vision. Yet the scale of the need is significant: it is estimated that only around 2 percent of people who are blind or visually impaired work with a guide dog, partly because the animals are so costly and time-consuming to produce. Training a single guide dog can take roughly two years and cost a school in the region of 40,000 to 60,000 US dollars, almost all of it funded by charitable giving. National Guide Dog Month exists to close that funding gap and keep these life-changing partnerships available at no charge to handlers.
How to Get Involved in National Guide Dog Month
There are many ways to support guide dogs during September, whether you have a few minutes or a few months to spare:
- Donate to a guide dog school – A financial gift, however small, helps cover the considerable cost of breeding, raising and training a working dog.
- Volunteer as a puppy raiser – Puppy raisers care for a future guide dog for its first year or so, teaching basic obedience and socialisation before formal training begins.
- Become a breeder host or boarder – Schools rely on volunteers to host breeding dogs or provide short-term boarding when needed.
- Learn proper guide dog etiquette – Never pet, feed or distract a dog in harness; doing so can put the handler at risk.
- Spread the word online – Share facts about guide dogs and tag a local school to widen their reach during the campaign.
- Fundraise in your community – Organise a sponsored walk, bake sale or workplace collection in aid of a guide dog organisation.
- Support access rights – Champion the legal right of handlers to bring their dogs into shops, restaurants and transport.
- Adopt a career-change dog – Some dogs do not complete the programme and are rehomed; adopting one frees up resources for the school.
History of National Guide Dog Month
National Guide Dog Month traces its origins to actor Dick Van Patten, best known for the television series Eight Is Enough and the co-founder of the pet food company Natural Balance. After visiting a guide dog school and experiencing first-hand, while blindfolded, how a guide dog navigates the world, Van Patten was moved by the intelligence of the dogs and the dedication required to train them.
Determined to help, he enlisted corporate support to turn that experience into a national fundraising campaign. The observance was first held in 2009 during the month of May. In 2010 it was moved to September to sit clear of competing fundraising calendars, and it has remained a September fixture ever since.
The Petco Foundation became a central partner, using its network of retail stores to gather donations that are then disbursed to guide dog and assistance dog organisations. Over the years the campaign has raised millions of dollars and helped fund the training of many guide dog teams across the United States.
Noteworthy Facts About National Guide Dog Month
- An estimated 10,000 guide dog teams are working in the United States today.
- Only around 2 percent of blind and visually impaired people use a guide dog.
- Training a guide dog typically takes about two years, including roughly a year with a volunteer puppy raiser.
- Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and crosses of the two are the breeds most commonly used as guide dogs.
- Guide dogs are provided free of charge to handlers, with costs covered by donations rather than the user.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Guide Dog Month?
It is an annual September observance in the United States that celebrates guide dogs, raises awareness of their role for blind and visually impaired people, and raises funds for the schools that train them.
When is National Guide Dog Month in 2026?
It runs throughout September 2026, from Tuesday, 1 September to Wednesday, 30 September.
Who started National Guide Dog Month?
It was created by actor Dick Van Patten, co-founder of the pet food brand Natural Balance, and has been supported by the Petco Foundation.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National Guide Dog Month with your friends, family and followers. Use the hashtags #NationalGuideDogMonth and #NationalGuideDogMonth2026 on social media. The more people who understand the value of guide dogs, the greater the support these remarkable partnerships receive.
Related Awareness Days
- White Cane Safety Day – Recognises the white cane as a tool of independence for blind and visually impaired people.
- National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day – Encourages support for animals in shelters and the people who care for them.
- Happy Cat Month – Another September animal observance promoting the wellbeing of much-loved companion animals.
Links
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