WHEREAS, service dogs are highly trained partners that perform tasks directly related to the disabilities of the individuals they assist, including people with mobility, sensory, neurological, psychiatric, developmental, and other disabilities, helping promote greater independence and participation in daily life; and

 

WHEREAS, service dogs can provide essential assistance such as mobility support, retrieving items, alerting individuals to sounds or medical conditions, assisting during seizures, and performing tasks for individuals with psychiatric disabilities, including post-traumatic stress disorder; and

 

WHEREAS, National Service Dog Month provides an opportunity to recognize service dogs and the individuals who train, raise, and support them, to educate the public about the rights of people who use service dogs under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Virginia law, and encourage respectful interactions with working service dogs; and

 

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia recognizes the meaningful partnerships between service dogs and individuals with disabilities and the important role these partnerships play in promoting independence, accessibility, inclusion, and participation in communities throughout Virginia;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize September 2026 as VIRGINIA SERVICE DOG MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.