The Code Council Celebrates National Service Dog Month 2023

National Service Dog Month is a dedicated annual campaign that celebrates the vital contributions of service dogs and the support they provide to individuals with disabilities.

Throughout the month of September, this campaign aims to raise awareness about the extensive training and hard work that goes into preparing service dogs for their roles – whether as guide dogs for the visually impaired or mobility assistance dogs. It also serves as an opportunity to educate the public about the rights and respect these working dogs deserve.

Over 90 percent of clients have reported increased independence after receiving their service dog, underscoring the profound importance of service dogs in our society.

Recognizing the Importance of Service Dogs

The International Code Council is committed to supporting Canine Companions with their mission of providing increased independence to people with disabilities.

Canine Companions is the largest provider of service dogs in the world and has championed independence for people with disabilities since its founding in 1975. The organization has placed more than 5,000 assistance dogs for people with disabilities, including wounded veterans, entirely for free. To support this organization, the Code Council has committed to donating a portion of the proceeds from sales of its ICC/ANSI A117.1 standard for accessibility to them.

The Code Council and Canine Companions signed an agreement in 2022 which serves as a starting point for the organizations to work together to raise awareness around accessibility in the built environment.

Learn more about service dogs and their importance, here. Read about the history of the A117.1 accessibility standard and what’s to come, here.