September is National Service Dog Month
Every partnership starts with a puppy and a promise.
Service dogs work for years to give one person back their independence — trained and placed at no cost, thanks to volunteers, donors, and hundreds of hours most people never see. This September, we're taking a moment to notice that work.
Meet the Teams
Two things worth understanding this month.
Not every working dog is the same
Service dogs, facility dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support animals each serve a different purpose, with different rights and access.
See what sets them apart →A vest means they're working
A service dog may look friendly, but interrupting one on the job can put their handler at risk. Here's how to interact respectfully.
Read service dog etiquette →
Behind every dog is a person whose life changed.
Finn's family didn't expect their son to explain what a service dog does. But when they asked when Finn might help him, he knew right away: "At the store!!" That's the kind of moment training is built for — dogs showing up in the everyday places that matter.
Read Their StoriesPuppy to partner.
What does it take to turn a puppy into a service dog? Watch the stages of training that lead to a life-changing placement.
How much have you learned?
Take a quick quiz on what makes a service dog different — and how to interact with one respectfully.
Be part of the next story.
Give, raise a puppy, or spread the word this September — and thanks to a matching gift, your donation to Together We Build goes further right now.