More Than a Service Dog: Celebrating Service Dog Partnerships during National Service Dog Month
Black lab lays in the grass wearing a blue vest that reads “SERVICE DOGS” and “Centre Stage Service Dogs”
September is National Service Dog Month, giving us the perfect time to spread awareness about service dogs and celebrate the incredible dogs who work alongside their handlers every day. Service dogs are much more than ‘medical equipment’. They are highly trained partners that provide support, teamwork, confidence, and independence to their handler, functioning as a very important part of their care plan.
To celebrate National Service Dog Month, I asked our recent graduate to talk a little bit about how her life has changed since graduating with diabetic alert dog, Astro. Astro alerts to low and high blood sugars, often before technology catches up to these changes, providing increased support and safety. When asked how having a service dog has impacted their life, his handler says,
“Having Astro in my life has been transformative in ways I never anticipated…Most importantly, he has given me the confidence to step back out into the world. He isn't just a medical tool; he is a partner who has helped me reclaim parts of my life I thought I had lost.”
This is the power of a service dog. They work alongside medical technology and management to better the lives of their handlers. Their impact extends beyond the number of tasks they do. A service dog becomes part of someone’s independence, not just in the big moments but in the everyday tasks like going to the store, taking a walk alone, and having the confidence to return to daily activities.
These everyday moments are exactly what we train for at Centre Stage Service Dogs. So, how can you support service dog teams when you see them out in public? We asked service dog handlers what the one thing they wish the public knew about service dogs is, and this is what they said:
Not all disabilities are visible
A vest doesn’t make a dog a service dog
Talking to service dogs is just as distracting as petting them
Ask permission before interacting, this goes for all dogs!
Ask before taking photos or videos, even of just the dog
Bringing your pet into pet friendly store harms service dog teams future access
Service dogs are there for their handlers, not the public
Service dogs are a significant responsibility, but it is more than worth it
With this, let’s talk about some ways you can support service dog teams when you see them out in public!
Talk to the person, not the dog
Ignore the dog completely, this means no eye contact, talking, touching, photos, etc.
Keep your pet out of non-pet friendly stores
Educate your friends, family, and children about ignoring service dogs!
When we asked Astro’s handler, she put it perfectly, “If you see a service dog in public, the best way to support them is to ignore them and let them do their job.”
Service dogs are working, and need to be able to maintain focus to do their job well. On top of that, their handler is living their life and constant interruptions don’t benefit anyone. So while we know they are cute, when you see a working dog please give the team the same space and consideration you would give anyone else without a service dog.
At Centre Stage Service Dogs, our goal is to create long-lasting, individualized partnerships for support in the everyday moments. When asked about their partnership, Astro’s handler shared that,
“Seeing how hard the dogs work and how much pride they take in their role is truly inspiring. It is a profound partnership built on mutual care, trust, and a shared desire to succeed together.”
This is at the core of our mission to raise, train, and place medical alert and response service dogs with individuals who need them. Your support helps us work toward a future where more people can experience the independence and confidence that a well-trained service dog provides.
National Service Dog Month gives us an opportunity to recognize these extraordinary dogs and the people who work alongside them a little extra. It’s also an opportunity to highlight that with every service dog, there is a handler, a partnership, and a whole lot of training, love, and support behind them.
They aren’t just service dogs, they’re partners and a part of the everyday moments. That’s what service dogs really are, they’re part of a team. It isn’t just their tasks, it’s the life they make possible through their tasks.
Support Our Mission
Centre Stage Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising, training, and placing medical alert and response service dogs.
Every dog we place represents years of dedicated and ethical breeding, training, care, veterinary expenses, equipment, and dedicated work from our team and beyond. Your support helps us continue building these life-changing partnerships and working toward placing more service dogs with people who need them.
Ready to support a life changing service dog team?
Learn more about Centre Stage Service Dogs
Service dogs do not replace medical technology or medical care. Our program requires handlers to continue using their prescribed monitoring and medical management tools alongside their service dog.