National Service Dog Month shines the spotlight on the contributions of service dog. This month-long observation honors the highly trained canines that have a profound impact on their handler’s lives and educates the public about proper etiquette when encountering a service dog. A service dog is a dog that is trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability. Unlike an emotional support or therapy animal that provide companionship, a service dog performs tasks directly related to the disability of the handler. This includes assisting people with physical disabilities, such as balance, blood sugar changes, mobility, and even seizures. Service dogs also provide assistance for people with invisible disabilities, such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). For more information, contact disability@luthersem.edu.