Overview
About the event
National Guide Dog Month was originally inspired by Dick Van Patten, who was a famous actor from the 1930s until the 1980s.
Van Patten was so impressed by the training and intelligence of guide dogs that he began helping to raise awareness for the needs which would supply funding for guide dog schools. Van Patten was particularly associated with the Guide Dogs of the Desert organization in Palm Springs, California.
In 2008, Dick Van Patten was able to enlist the support of the Petco Foundation, allowing their retail stores to be used in aid of fundraising for the cause of training guide dogs.
The first National Guide Dog Month was celebrated in May 2009 as a benefit to non-profit guide dogs schools who were accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF).
During this year, proclamations by Governors of several different states were made in support of the event, including California, Arizona, Florida, Mississippi and others.
Over the years, various celebrity spokespersons have engaged in support for the cause of National Guide Dog Day in a range of capacities. These have included actors, musicians and models, such as Paula Abdul, Nicolette Sheridan, Katrina Bowden, Eva LaRue, Omar Miller and others.
Van Patten was so impressed by the training and intelligence of guide dogs that he began helping to raise awareness for the needs which would supply funding for guide dog schools. Van Patten was particularly associated with the Guide Dogs of the Desert organization in Palm Springs, California.
In 2008, Dick Van Patten was able to enlist the support of the Petco Foundation, allowing their retail stores to be used in aid of fundraising for the cause of training guide dogs.
The first National Guide Dog Month was celebrated in May 2009 as a benefit to non-profit guide dogs schools who were accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF).
During this year, proclamations by Governors of several different states were made in support of the event, including California, Arizona, Florida, Mississippi and others.
Over the years, various celebrity spokespersons have engaged in support for the cause of National Guide Dog Day in a range of capacities. These have included actors, musicians and models, such as Paula Abdul, Nicolette Sheridan, Katrina Bowden, Eva LaRue, Omar Miller and others.
