Celebrating National Service Dog Month

In the United States, more than 70 million adults and children have a disability. There are only 16,000 service dogs from accredited training programs that exist nationwide, and the need is growing. National Service Dog Month is a time to celebrate and raise awareness about the life-changing impact service dogs have on people with disabilities.  

During Monday's Renton City Council meeting, Mayor Armondo Pavone designated the month of September as National Service Dog Month in Renton. Canine Companions volunteer Lee Cummings, Trainer Colleen Reilly, and puppy-in-training Punky received the proclamation. 

Cummings reflected, “This city and the surrounding Puget Sound area welcomes and helps us train service dogs for people with disabilities, children, veterans, organizations like Seattle Children’s, and Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, fire departments, police departments and schools.”

Canine Companions provides high-quality in-class training and service dogs to adults, children, and veterans with disabilities. They also supply trained facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice, and educational settings.  

Thank you to all service dog trainers and organizations who empower people with disabilities to lead a greater independent life.