Subject
title
Proclamation Declaring September 2025, as Service Dog Month in Rockville, Maryland
end
Department
City Clerk/Director of Council Operations Office
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Mayor and Council read, approve and present proclamation to Rebecca Murphy, Co-Chair of the Rockville Human Rights Commission.
Discussion
National Service Dog Month, celebrated every September, is a time to show appreciation to our four-legged friends who often play a significant role in the lives of humans. Yes, service dogs are more than just pets, as they have been trained to care for individuals with certain medical conditions, disabilities, or mental health issues. Therefore, the sole purpose of their life becomes to aid their human companion and make their lives easier. This is why it is essential to honor these hard-working pups by dedicating the entire month of September to them.
Throughout the past decades, human beings have been suffering from different medical conditions that may interfere with their quality of life. Some of these ailments include blindness, autism, hearing issues, seizures, and mental disorders. Some conditions require humans to opt for physical assistance. However, as the world progressed, numerous researchers realized that an ailment does not have to affect one’s quality of life. Nor does it make a human being dependent on others. All they need is a well-trained service dog that will not only be their best friend but also their biggest support. The purpose of service dogs is to provide companionship, protection, and service to their humans. To bring to light the importance of service dogs, National Service Dog Month was established in 2008.
The idea of this appreciation month was the brainchild of actor Dick Van Patten, who was awestruck by the tremendous help service dogs had given to humans with certain ailments. To further the cause, he also launched a fundraising initiative to benefit these dedicated pups who worked hard every day in service dog training schools. He also became an honorary board member of the Guide Dogs of The Desert. This led to a chain reaction, and gradually, fundraising efforts during National Service Dog Month were made across the U.S.
Why is National Service Dog Month Important?
- It’s important because it acknowledges how important these dogs are to humans and raises awareness about the many things that we couldn’t do without them.
- Holidays like National Service Dog Month can help remind people to take the time to thank their pets for all that they do.
- It helps raise awareness about • all the different jobs that these dogs do.
- National Service Dog Month helps raise important donations that fund • service dog training centers , so a dog can be available when someone needs one.
Service dogs are also protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Source - NATIONAL SERVICE DOG MONTH (nationaltoday.com)
Mayor and Council History
This is the second time the Mayor and Council have proclaimed National Service Dog Month.