Ways to Celebrate National Guide Dog Month 2024

Not only can life be better with dogs, but for many blind or visually impaired people, Guide Dogs are a necessity. National Guide Dog Month is a celebration in honour of the great work these animals do.

In this article, we outline ways to celebrate the month and answer common Guide Dog questions.

Celebrating 300 years with Assistance Dogs

Not only are dogs the first animals that humans domesticated but they’ve been helping humans for a long time.

It’s thought that early Assistance Dogs helped wounded soldiers in times of war during the 1700s and we know they were first trained as Guide Dogs in the 1750s. From then on they’ve become an integral part of many more people who live with disabilities’ lives.

Do you know what this means? It means National Guide Dog Month 2024 is a celebration of roughly 300 years of having Assistance and Guide Dogs make human lives better!

How to celebrate

If you’re wondering about ways to celebrate National Guide Dog Month in NZ, there are plenty! You could:

Support local organisations: Consider donating to or fundraising for organisations like Blind Low Vision NZ, which trains guide dogs. They rely on donations to continue their work.

Attend or organise events: Look out for local events or organise one in your community, such as a walk or a meet-and-greet with Guide Dog teams.

Raise awareness: Share information on social media about the important role these dogs play. Highlight local stories or post about Guide Dog training programs.

Volunteer: Many organisations need volunteers for puppy raising or other support roles. You could offer your time to help them.

Spread the word at work: If you work for a company, suggest a fundraising event or a day where employees can learn about these pups and donate to the cause.

Share info: Share any of these articles on your social media pages, or send them to friends and family:

• 4 Best Breeds for Assistance and Guide Dogs
• Inspiring Assistance Dogs You’ll Want to Know

Just by sharing even one of these articles you could make a difference. The more people who know what it takes to prepare these dogs for duty, the more support we can muster as a society.

In other words it’s all about celebrating the furry heroes that accompany humans in making many daily tasks more accessible.

Who started National Guide Dog Month?

National Guide Dog Month was started by actor and animal advocate, Dick Van Patten, in 2008. He created this awareness month after visiting a training school in California.

Van Patten was moved by the incredible work these pups do and wanted to help raise awareness and support for training schools across the US. Since then, the month has become a way to celebrate the important role these pups play. They enhance the lives of people who are visually impaired every day.

What is the purpose of Guide Dogs?

Guide dogs in NZ and beyond serve as loyal companions and helpers for people who are blind or visually impaired. Their main purpose is to assist their handlers in navigating the world safely and independently. They guide their handler around obstacles, help them cross streets, and navigate different environments, from busy city streets to quiet neighbourhoods.

Beyond their practical role, these pups also provide emotional support and companionship, enhancing their handler’s confidence and sense of independence. These dogs help improve the quality of life for people with vision loss. They give them the freedom to move about more easily and with greater safety.

A soft landing for every paw

Another apt way to celebrate National Guide Dog Month in 2024 is by purchasing pet insurance for your dog. Or even for someone else who has one.

We can help with that. PD Insurance’s award-winning plans can help to cover a wide range of vet bills from surgery and prescription medication to hospitalisation and more.

Just click below to start your quote today.