National Service Dog Month

September is National Service Dog Month – a time to honour and celebrate the incredible dogs who dedicate their lives to serving people with disabilities. While this awareness campaign began in the United States in 2008, at Smart Service Dog South Africa we believe it’s just as important to recognise the life-changing role service and guide dogs play right here at home.

These remarkable dogs guide, listen, balance, alert, and comfort. They give independence, safety, and peace of mind. Whether retrieving dropped items, offering physical support, guiding someone with vision loss, or alerting a child with autism to danger, service dogs live to serve their partners with loyalty and love.

National Service Dog Month is not only about the dogs, but also about the people behind them – the trainers, puppy raisers, veterinarians, behaviourists, and families who make their journeys possible. Together, they help turn a playful puppy into a highly skilled partner who can transform lives.

In honour of this month, here are 9 things you may not know about Service Dogs in South Africa:

1. Service Dogs Can Be Any Breed

While Labradors, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds are common, any dog with the right temperament, health, and ability can become a service dog – no matter their size, shape, or colour.

2. There Are Many Types of Service Dogs

Beyond guide dogs for the blind, service dogs can be trained for many roles, including:

Autism Assistance Dogs
Hearing Dogs
Diabetic Alert Dogs
Seizure Response Dogs
Brace and Mobility Support Dogs
Psychiatric Service Dogs
Medical Response and Emergency Dogs
Each is specially trained to support a person with a unique need.

3. They Perform Specialised Tasks

Service dogs are trained in predictable, reliable behaviours that directly assist with a disability. This may include opening doors, alerting to medical changes, waking a person from nightmares, bracing for balance, or retrieving vital medication.

4. Disabilities Aren’t Always Visible

Not every disability can be seen. Conditions like epilepsy, autism, diabetes, or PTSD may be invisible, but service dogs give vital independence to these handlers. Respect and understanding are essential.

5. They Don’t Belong Everywhere

In South Africa, as elsewhere, service dogs have the right to accompany their handler in public places where pets aren’t normally allowed. However, there are exceptions such as sterile hospital wards, certain wildlife areas, or private clubs.

6. Only Two Questions May Be Asked

If it isn’t obvious that a dog is working, staff may only ask:

Is the dog required because of a disability?
What tasks has the dog been trained to perform?

7. Special Gear Isn’t Legally Required

A vest or harness helps the public recognise a service dog, but by law, a dog’s gear is not what makes them official – their training and behaviour do.

8. Registered Dog

Make sure that your dog is registered with the Association of Assistant Dogs of Southern Africa AADSA.

9. Excellent Manners Are Non-Negotiable

A service dog must always remain calm, focused, and under control. If a dog is disruptive, businesses have the right to request the handler return without the dog.

How You Can Help

At Smart Service Dog South Africa, we train dogs to assist children and adults with autism, physical disabilities, hearing loss, and other challenges. Many families are waiting for this life-changing support, but training a service dog is a long and costly journey.

This National Service Dog Month, we invite you to support our work. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness, your help ensures more South Africans with disabilities can experience the freedom, safety, and companionship that only a service dog can provide.

🐾 Together, let’s celebrate the dogs who give independence and hope.