National Guide Dog Month
Encyclopedia
National Guide Dog Month is a celebration of the work of Guide Dogs in the United States
as a way to raise awareness, appreciation and support for guide dog schools across the United States. It was established in 2008 as a fundraising drive to benefit non-profit guide dog organizations accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation).
, who was impressed by the intelligence and training of guide dogs. During a visit to the campus of the Guide Dogs of the Desert in Palm Springs
California
, Van Patten was blindfolded to experience how guide dogs provide assistance and mobility to blind people.
After learning that the costs to raise and train a guide dog exceed $40,000 and can take up to two years, Van Patten was inspired to help raise awareness and money for guide dog schools.
Mr Van Patten currently serves as an honorary Board Member for the Guide Dogs of the Desert. Through his pet food company Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods
he has underwritten all costs for the promotion of National Guide Dog Month to ensure that all money raised would directly benefit non-profit, accredited guide dog schools in the United States.
In 2008, Van Patten enlisted the support of The Petco
Foundation, to organize a fundraising campaign through their retail stores. The San Diego based retailer piloted the first guide dog fundraiser in the Southern California
area to benefit the Guide Dogs of the Desert, based in Palm Springs, California. In 2009 National Guide Dog Month was established to benefit the non-profit guide dogs schools accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation.
In 2009, National Guide Dog Month was established for the month of May, however in 2010, it was moved to September due to conflicts with other national fundraising drives.
· Guide Dogs for the Blind
· Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
· Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc.
· Guide Dogs of the Desert
· Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.
· Southeastern Guide Dogs
· Leader Dogs for the Blind
· The Seeing Eye, Inc.
· Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
· Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation (#33-0845930) that supports other IRS (Internal Revenue Service
) designated non-profit pet related groups. The Petco Foundation is listed and rated by Charity Navigator
.
consumers. In 2009 while Paula Abdul
appeared as a judge on American Idol
blind contestant Scott MacIntyre
was presented with a guide dog to represent National Guide Dog Month. In 2010, as spokesperson, Nicollette Sheridan
helped raise awareness through various interviews and appearances. In 2010, actress Katrina Bowden
made promotional appearances in support of National Guide Dog Month. In 2011, spokespersons Omar Miller and Eva LaRue
appeared at a graduation ceremony at the Guide Dogs for the Blind campus in San Rafael
, California to honor Dr Cecilia von Beroldingen, with the first annual Change A Life Award. Dr von Beroldingen is a blind scientist who with the use of her guide dog Neoki given to her through the program, has been able to continue her work for the California Department of Justice
Criminalistics Institute Forensic Training Facility in Sacramento
. Miller and La Rue, who portray CSI investigator characters Natalia Boa Vista
and Walter Simmons
on the television series, CSI Miami, presented von Beroldingen with the inaugural National Guide Dog Change A Life Award, to inaugurate National Guide Dog Month in 2011 as a testament to Cecilia's courage and example of how having a guide dog has enabled her to remain independent.
, Florida
, Arizona
, Mississippi
, Nebraska
and Illinois
.
Main articles: Assistance dog
and Service dog
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as a way to raise awareness, appreciation and support for guide dog schools across the United States. It was established in 2008 as a fundraising drive to benefit non-profit guide dog organizations accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation).
History
National Guide Dog Month was first inspired by Dick Van PattenDick Van Patten
Richard Vincent "Dick" Van Patten is an American actor, best known for his role as patriarch Tom Bradford on the television sitcom Eight is Enough. He began work as a child actor and was successful on the [New York] stage, appearing in more than a dozen plays as a teenager...
, who was impressed by the intelligence and training of guide dogs. During a visit to the campus of the Guide Dogs of the Desert in Palm Springs
Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a desert city in CaliforniaPalm Springs may also refer to:* Palm Springs, Florida* Palm Springs, Hong Kong, a residential development in Yuen Long, Hong Kong* Coachella Valley, also known as the Palm Springs area...
California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Van Patten was blindfolded to experience how guide dogs provide assistance and mobility to blind people.
After learning that the costs to raise and train a guide dog exceed $40,000 and can take up to two years, Van Patten was inspired to help raise awareness and money for guide dog schools.
Mr Van Patten currently serves as an honorary Board Member for the Guide Dogs of the Desert. Through his pet food company Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods
Natural Balance Pet Foods
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods is an American commercial pet food manufacturer with its headquarters located in Pacoima, Los Angeles, California...
he has underwritten all costs for the promotion of National Guide Dog Month to ensure that all money raised would directly benefit non-profit, accredited guide dog schools in the United States.
In 2008, Van Patten enlisted the support of The Petco
PETCO
PETCO is a chain of retail stores that offers pet supplies and services such as grooming and dog training. Founded in 1965 and incorporated in Delaware, it is headquartered in San Diego, California...
Foundation, to organize a fundraising campaign through their retail stores. The San Diego based retailer piloted the first guide dog fundraiser in the Southern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
area to benefit the Guide Dogs of the Desert, based in Palm Springs, California. In 2009 National Guide Dog Month was established to benefit the non-profit guide dogs schools accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation.
In 2009, National Guide Dog Month was established for the month of May, however in 2010, it was moved to September due to conflicts with other national fundraising drives.
Beneficiaries
In 2011, the non-profit guide dog schools in the United States listed by IGDF were listed as beneficiaries of National Guide Dog Month. 100% proceeds will be donated to the following guide dog training facilities:· Guide Dogs for the Blind
· Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
· Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc.
· Guide Dogs of the Desert
· Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.
· Southeastern Guide Dogs
· Leader Dogs for the Blind
· The Seeing Eye, Inc.
· Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
· Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Use of Registered Charity
Fundraising for National Guide Dog Month is collected from donors and dispersed by The PetcoPETCO
PETCO is a chain of retail stores that offers pet supplies and services such as grooming and dog training. Founded in 1965 and incorporated in Delaware, it is headquartered in San Diego, California...
Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation (#33-0845930) that supports other IRS (Internal Revenue Service
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service is the revenue service of the United States federal government. The agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, and is under the immediate direction of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue...
) designated non-profit pet related groups. The Petco Foundation is listed and rated by Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates American charities. Its stated goal is "to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of America's largest charities."-About:...
.
Celebrity Spokespersons
The use of celebrity spokespersons to attract media interest has helped National Guide Dog Month gain awareness with AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
consumers. In 2009 while Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
appeared as a judge on American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
blind contestant Scott MacIntyre
Scott MacIntyre
Scott Douglas MacIntyre is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist, and the eighth place finalist on the eighth season of American Idol...
was presented with a guide dog to represent National Guide Dog Month. In 2010, as spokesperson, Nicollette Sheridan
Nicollette Sheridan
Nicollette Sheridan is an English film and television actress. She is best known for her roles as Edie Britt on Desperate Housewives and as Paige Matheson on Knots Landing.-Early life:...
helped raise awareness through various interviews and appearances. In 2010, actress Katrina Bowden
Katrina Bowden
Katrina Bowden is an American actress. She is known for her short role as Britney Jennings on One Life to Live and for her role as Cerie in 30 Rock .- Education :...
made promotional appearances in support of National Guide Dog Month. In 2011, spokespersons Omar Miller and Eva LaRue
Eva LaRue
Eva Maria LaRue is an American model and actress. She is best known as Doctor Maria Santos on All My Children, and is now a cast regular on CSI: Miami, portraying Detective Natalia Boa Vista of the Miami-Dade Police Department.-Early life:LaRue was born Eva Maria LaRuy in Long Beach, California to...
appeared at a graduation ceremony at the Guide Dogs for the Blind campus in San Rafael
San Rafael
San Rafael is a common place-name in areas where that tongue is or was spoken:-Towns, cities, municipalities, etc.:*Argentina**San Rafael, Mendoza**San Rafael Department*Bolivia...
, California to honor Dr Cecilia von Beroldingen, with the first annual Change A Life Award. Dr von Beroldingen is a blind scientist who with the use of her guide dog Neoki given to her through the program, has been able to continue her work for the California Department of Justice
California Department of Justice
The California Department of Justice is the department in the California executive branch under the leadership of the California Attorney General.-Description:It has 5344 employees and a budget of $791 million...
Criminalistics Institute Forensic Training Facility in Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
. Miller and La Rue, who portray CSI investigator characters Natalia Boa Vista
Natalia Boa Vista
Natalia Boa Vista is a fictional character on the CBS crime drama CSI: Miami, portrayed by actress Eva LaRue.- Background :Little is known about Natalia's background prior to her association with the FBI and MDPD. In the Season 5 episode "Darkroom", it is revealed that she has at least two younger...
and Walter Simmons
Walter Simmons
Walter Simmons is a fictional character on the CBS crime drama CSI: Miami, portrayed by actor Omar Benson Miller.- Background :Simmons, a Louisiana native and fluent French speaker, is a CSI from the night shift who transfers to Horatio Caine's day shirt team in season 8...
on the television series, CSI Miami, presented von Beroldingen with the inaugural National Guide Dog Change A Life Award, to inaugurate National Guide Dog Month in 2011 as a testament to Cecilia's courage and example of how having a guide dog has enabled her to remain independent.
- 2008: Dick Van PattenDick Van PattenRichard Vincent "Dick" Van Patten is an American actor, best known for his role as patriarch Tom Bradford on the television sitcom Eight is Enough. He began work as a child actor and was successful on the [New York] stage, appearing in more than a dozen plays as a teenager...
- 2009: Paula AbdulPaula AbdulPaula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
- 2010: Nicollette SheridanNicollette SheridanNicollette Sheridan is an English film and television actress. She is best known for her roles as Edie Britt on Desperate Housewives and as Paige Matheson on Knots Landing.-Early life:...
- 2011: Omar Miller & Eva LaRueEva LaRueEva Maria LaRue is an American model and actress. She is best known as Doctor Maria Santos on All My Children, and is now a cast regular on CSI: Miami, portraying Detective Natalia Boa Vista of the Miami-Dade Police Department.-Early life:LaRue was born Eva Maria LaRuy in Long Beach, California to...
Proclamations
In May 2009, Governors of multiple states issued proclamations in recognition of National Guide Dog Month, including CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
and Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
.
External links
Main articles: Assistance dog
Assistance dog
An assistance dog is a dog trained to aid or assist a person with a disability. Many are trained by a specific organization, while others are trained by their handler .-Classification:...
and Service dog
Service dog
A service dog is a type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities including visual or hearing impairment, and also to help people with mental disabilities including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and severe depression...