National Service Dog Month was created to celebrate the dogs who have a career helping humans. You probably already know that Service Dogs help individual people, but did you know they also work in schools, skilled nursing facilities, courthouses, physical therapy practices, hospitals, and much more? The goal in each setting remains the same – the working dogs help to support and increase independence for the people they are servicing. 

What we’ll be doing:

• There will be events across the country to help spread awareness. See our events listing on this page.
• We’ll be posting educational (and fun!) content on social media all month long
• We will be hosting a bandana giveaway on social media, rewarding those who comment on/share our posts

Help us spread the word so we can reach our goal, by sharing on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram with your own network throughout September!

See the below schedule for when we’ll be posting on DBL’s accounts.

Instructions for sharing:

• • On Facebook, tap the “Share” button (shown on mobile as an arrow icon). Add in a personal message and then click “share now.”
  • On Instagram, tap the paper airplane icon (send) beneath the post. Then choose “add to story” from the bottom row of options and click the right arrow to post.
  • On Linkedin, click the “Repost” button below the post. Repost with your thoughts allows you to add a comment, otherwise Repost will bring DBL’s post to your followers’ feeds.
  • On X (Twitter), locate the two-arrow icon (repost icon) beneath it, and click it. You’ll then have the option to “Repost” (retweet as is) or “Repost as Quote” (add your own comment).Repost DBL’s content from your social media account

We’d love to see you at one of our events! It’s a great opportunity to help spread awareness in your community. See our events listing on this page.

Vote for your favorite DBL dogs in the calendar contest, or purchase a date block or two for the dogs in your life. Calendar pre-orders are also available in September. Visit the calendar contest now.

Other Ways to Promote the National Service Dog Month

• Purchase swag from our shop. Proceeds benefit DBL.
• Post a short video or photo with a message about why you love Dogs for Better Lives.
  • Include:
    • #dogsforbetterlives hashtag
    • link: https://www.dogsforbetterlives.org/national-service-dog-month

Post Dates:

WEEK 1

• Tuesday, Sept 2 – Kickoff post introducing National Service Dog Month and DBL photo calendar contest
• Wednesday, Sept 3 – Educational Post: “Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Dogs – what’s the difference?”
• Friday, Sept 5 – Follow-up Friday

WEEK 2

• Tuesday, Sept 9 – Calendar Contest Reminder: How to enter or vote
• Wednesday, Sept 10 – Event Promos
• Thursday, Sept 11 – Educational Post: “What it takes to become a Certified Service Dog”
• Friday, Sept 12 – Follow-up Friday

WEEK 3

• Tuesday, Sept 16 – Event Promo
• Wednesday, Sept 17 – Calendar Contest Countdown
• Thursday, Sept 18 – Educational Post: “The Role of Puppy Raisers”
• Friday, Sept 19 – Follow-up Friday

WEEK 4

• Tuesday, Sept 23 – Event Promo
• Wednesday, Sept 24 – Calendar contest update – get your votes, date blocks, pre-orders in
• Thursday, Sept 25 – Educational Post: “Life after placement: Ongoing support for our clients”
• Friday, Sept 26 – Follow-up Friday

WEEK 5

• Tuesday, Sept 30 –Final Calendar Contest Reminder: Last chance to vote

Ways to personalize your outreach:

• I’m a proud (volunteer, board member, client) with Dogs for Better Lives! Help build awareness about Service Dogs by sharing this great post!
• Will you join me at [EVENT NAME] this weekend? Hope to see you there!
• Friends! There will be a fun event next weekend celebrating Service Dogs, will you be there? Visit https://dogsforbetterlives.org/national-service-dog-month/ to get all the details

#Hashtags:

If you make your own post, be sure to include the following hashtags so we can follow along.  

• #dogsforbetterlives
• #dbl
• #NationalServiceDogMonth
• #ServiceDogMonth

Talking Points: 

• When you donate to Dogs for Better Lives, 100% of your gift goes directly toward to supporting Assistance Dog programs. 
• Dogs for Better Lives offers Assistance Dogs to clients at ZERO costs, thanks to donor support. 
• Service Dogs receive hundreds of hours of specialized training on specific, skilled tasks. This is one of the ways they are set apart from “Therapy Dogs” and Emotional Support Animals. They also have protected public access rights.  
• According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state laws, people with disabilities are allowed public access rights for their specifically trained Service Dogs. Service Dogs are legally allowed to accompany their person into stores, restaurants, public transportation, and other places where dogs are not normally allowed. 
• We always need volunteers! Join us at dogsforbetterlives.org/get-involved and support Service Dogs with your time and talent.