DID YOU KNOW? The oldest class of service dogs are guide dogs who assist the visually impaired. 

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is allowed to go wherever his companion goes such as restaurants or other businesses where pets are not allowed to go or welcomed.  Owners cannot be charged additional fees for their service dog and should never be cross-examined or  guilted about their dog.

Etiquette: Always ask the companion before you approaching a service dog. The dog is there to do a job, and their focus is ensuring that their companion is safe and providing support. 

Therapy dogs or emotional support dogs are not classified as service dogs under the law. 

Working dogs are not service dogs.

Faking service dogs is illegal.  A vest does not make a service dog.  A service dog is not required to wear a certain vest or harness.

There are many legitimate types of service dogs. Such as dogs that can detect low blood sugar in diabetics or the onset of a seizure, dogs that improve mobility issues for someone who is wheelchair-bound or blind, and dogs that help with PTSD or other such disorders.  Many types of service dogs are not listed here and in the U.S.A. there are more than 500,000 service dogs. The oldest class of service dogs are the guide dogs who assist the visually impaired.

REFERENCES:
Dogs, NEADS World Class Service. “5 Things to Know about Service Dogs.” NEADS World Class Service Dogs, 2 July 2018, neads.org/5-things-to-know-about-service-dogs/.

Mueller, Laura. “8 Types of Service Dogs and What They Do.” The Spruce Pets, The Spruce Pets, 20 June 2022, www.thesprucepets.com/types-of-service-dogs-4587180.

through his recovery.  He traveled as a pilgrim and eventually returned to his home in France.
​
St. Roch was wrongly imprisoned in 1321 as a spy for six years and in 1327 he died in prison.  His grandmother identified him by the birthmark across his chest and he was given a huge funeral.  His body is entombed in the church built in his honor.  He was canonized in 1427.
He is also the patron Saint of infectious diseases, dog lovers, and knee problems.  He is The Patron Saint of Montpellier (France).  St. Roch is also known as St. Rocco, San Roque, and St. Rollox in Scotland. His picture reflects a sore on his leg and a dog

References:
Teri. Saint Roch of France, and the Dog That Brought His Bread, 1 Jan. 1970, http://wheatwanderings.blogspot.com/2018/07/saint-roch-of-france-and-dog-that.html. 

​In 2021 there were over 1,600 dogs serving in the military.  They also serve to assist in post-war recovery.  A touring exhibit exists commemorating all the K9 dogs.  It will soon be housed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Ohio.
 
Famous K9 Veterans include:        
Stubby, American Pit Bull Terrier and the only dog to have the rank of Sergeant. Served 17 battles in France Chips, Collie/ Shepherd/ Siberian Husky mix (1940s) Germany, France, North Africa and Sicily               

Kaiser, German Shepherd (1960s), over 30 missions in Viet Nam.  Killed in action 1966      
                                    
Lucca, German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois, Marine, detected explosives for 6 years finding 40 explosives, lost front leg in Afghanistan in 2012 from IED blast.  No Marines died under her service.  She retired in 2012 and lived with her original handler, Gunnery Sgt. C. Willingham.

Smoky, Yorkshire Terrier, earned 8 battle stars with handler, was on 12 combat missions, survived 150 air raids and help build the airbase at Lingayen Gulf on Luzon, an island in the Philippines, 10 yr service (1944-55) live 14 yrs.                          

Conan, Belgian Malinois (Netherlands) – Cover missions/special ops Cairo, Belgian Malinois, Navy SEALs member, covert operation removing Osama Bin Laden, May 2011
 
Ways to Observe K9 Veterans Day

• Commemorate a K9 Veteran
• Learn more about training programs and consider supporting their causes, do your research. 
• Attend or read about ceremonies honoring these dogs
• Use #NationalK9VeteransDay on social media

References:
Bushatz, Amy. “National K9 Veterans Day.” Military.com, 16 Feb. 2021, https://www.military.com/veterans-day/k9-veterans-day.html.

“K9 Veterans Day 2022.” Awareness Days Events Calendar 2022, 13 Mar. 1970, https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/k9-veterans-day-2022/.

“Quick Links.” K9 Veterans Day, https://www.osi.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2002953585/.

SpouseLink, and Name *. “5 Of the Most Inspiring K-9 Veterans.” SpouseLink, 9 Feb. 2022, https://spouselink.aafmaa.com/5-most-inspiring-k9-veterans/.