Happy National Service Dog Month. Did you know that Lanoka Oaks has been the veterinarian for over 90 service dogs(mostly seeing eye)? Below are some pictures of these special dogs. National Guide Dog Month was first inspired by Dick Van Patten, who was impressed by the intelligence and training of guide dogs. During a visit to the campus of the Guide Dogs of the Desert in Palm Springs, California, Van Patten was blindfolded to experience how guide dogs provide assistance and mobility to blind people. After learning that the costs to raise and train a guide dog exceed $40,000[2] and can take up to two years,[3] Van Patten was inspired to help raise awareness and money for guide dog schools.[4] Mr Van Patten currently serves as an honorary Board Member[5] for the Guide Dogs of the Desert. Through his pet food company Dick Van Pattens Natural Balance Pet Foods he has underwritten all costs for the promotion of National Guide Dog Month to ensure that all money raised would directly benefit non-profit, accredited guide dog schools in the United States. In 2008, Van Patten enlisted the support of the Petco Foundation, to organize a fundraising campaign through their retail stores. The San Diego based retailer piloted the first guide dog fundraiser in the Southern California area to benefit the Guide Dogs of the Desert,[6] based in Palm Springs, California.[7] In 2009 National Guide Dog Month was established to benefit the non-profit guide dogs schools accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation. In 2009, National Guide Dog Month was established for the month of May,[8] however in 2010, it was moved to September due to conflicts with other national fundraising drives. According to the Petco Foundation, the honorary celebration has since been expanded to include service and assistance animals of all kinds, everything from service pot-bellied pigs to therapy bunnies and autism assistance felines. While guide dogs are the main focus of National Service Dog Month fundraising drives, this year’s event will also highlight dogs who assist our brave service men and women — both on and off the battlefield. Military Working Dogs — dogs who put their lives on the line to detect explosives, find contraband, and protect military posts — and companion animals prescribed to U.S. military veterans for various physical and psychological conditions, including traumatic brain injuries, mobility issues, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, are at the center of the Natural Balance fundraising efforts.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 16:30:01 +0000
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