Guide dogs do a great deal for their owners. Not only do they help guide their owners throughout the day, but they also protect them from harm, assist them with tasks, and provide consistent emotional support like no other. Guide dog trainers work hard to help these loyal partners to hone these skills.

These dogs are seen by many as a joy that makes the world a better place for their owners and their families. And International Guide Dog Day aims to help others show appreciation for the hard work they do.

So get ready to learn a bit about and celebrate International Guide Dog Day!

History of International Guide Dog Day
Guide dogs may have been around since 79 AD, a fact which was discovered when paintings of guide dogs being used to help the blind were uncovered on the excavations in Pompeii, Italy.

Guide dogs have been used in various countries throughout the centuries, such as ancient China and medieval Europe. During the 1700s and 1800s, historians and anthropologists seem to have encountered more observations of guide dogs through children’s nursery rhymes and stories.

However, even though they had been used in previous times, it wasn’t until the mid-1800s that some of the first legislation recognizing guide dogs started to appear. One such activity was noted in 1838, when the British Parliament exempted license fees for “shepherds’ dogs and “those kept by the blind as guides.” This type of legislation encourages those who keep dogs that help them with their work or with disabilities.

The early 1900s began the organized training of guide dogs for blind people, and in 1934, the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association was established in the United Kingdom.

People who lived in the era of WWII saw extensive use for these kinds of helping dogs, specifically for veterans who had lost their sight in the midst of war due to chemical related injuries. And although communities have made much progress in the way of guide dogs, many people don’t realize that it wasn’t until 2010, when the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) helped establish legal rules for those with disabilities who are in need of guide dogs.

International Guide Dog Day honors the work that these service dogs provide for people with visual disabilities everywhere. These dogs have skills including leading a blind person around an area, assisting with a hobby, picking up dropped items, providing emotional comfort during their service and much more. This is why guide dogs are some of the best service dogs to have.

Now it’s time to start celebrating International Guide Dog Day!