National Rescue Dog Day

On May 20th, National Rescue Dog Day recognizes all the benefits of allowing a four-legged canine to adopt you into their immeasurably lovable life.

According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters every year. When these abandoned and abused animals find their way to a shelter, each one needs a forever home and their potential is limitless. They’re rescue dogs.

No matter their size, color, or breed, dogs will find a way to nuzzle, fetch, or beg their way into your heart. You’ll find it hard not to scratch one behind the ear.

Rescue dogs often overcome extreme obstacles and yet provide comfort, security, and friendship as family pets. But, rescue dogs are capable of much more. With training, they contribute to the independence of people with disabilities as service animals and give comfort to the elderly. In these circumstances, they become our eyes, ears, or legs as well as our best friend.

Rescue dogs provide a variety of therapeutic benefits. Children, teens, and adults with autism may benefit from services provided by trained rescue dogs. As emotional support companions, rescue dogs help to relieve anxiety, depression, and PTSD among the military or those who suffer from mental illness.

They make excellent teachers, too. Rescue dogs show children about caring and kindness. Rescue dogs can even be trained to rescue us from dangerous situations or help to investigate the cause of a fire.

When it comes to four-legged friends, they improve the human condition by leaps and bounds, barks, and yips. It’s hard to imagine a more helpful, worthy companion. Give them a treat!

National Rescue Dog Day History

Tails That Teach founded National Rescue Dog Day on May 20 to honor the inspiring ways rescue dogs become apart of the human family and increase awareness about the number of dogs in shelters. Given a chance, they would fill their forever homes with unconditional love and unabandoned joy with every belly rub.

Lisa Wiehebrink, author and founder of Tails That Teach, wrote Love Me Gently; A Kid’s Guide for Man’s Best Friend, inspired by Cooper, her rescue dog from a Los Angeles shelter.

How to observe:

Get involved in the lives of rescue dogs. There are a variety of ways to share the puppy love.

• ADOPT: If there is room in your life for a dog, consider adoption and giving one a forever home.

• FOSTER: Many dogs abandoned to shelters benefit from socialization, or would just thrive better away from the shelter environment. Others may be in need of some medical care or rehabilitation in a home setting before an adoption can take place.

• DONATE: Shelters always need donations. In addition to financial donations, shelters have a list of much needed items such as blankets, toys, treats, and leashes.

• VOLUNTEER: Help out at your local shelter. Taking dogs for walks, grooming, and giving them plenty of affection improves their socialization.

• SPAY/NEUTER: Be responsible for your pets. Overpopulation is the number one reason shelters exist.

• EDUCATE: Teach young children the importance of kindness, unconditional love, and responsible care of all animals.