September is National Guide Dog Month. The first guide dogs were trained to help World War I veterans from Germany. A dog breeder from Switzerland invited an American man who was blind to come to her country and train with a dog. They partnered together to found the first guide-dog school in the United States in 1929. Although many service dogs are guide dogs for the blind, dogs have also been trained to help people in other ways.

Children respond well to service dogs. More schoolchildren are relying on service dogs to help them perform tasks to be independent. Service dogs are workers that need to be respected. It can be hard to explain this to a young person. Children need to understand that they can’t play with a service dog. It’s also important to understand how to talk to someone about a service dog. Talking about disabilities can be sensitive.

Here are some wonderful books that you can share with your child about guide and service dogs.

“First Lady of the Seeing Eye” by Morris Frank and Blake Clark

This book might be hard to find, but it’s worth it. Morris Frank is the blind man who founded the first guide-dog school in the U.S. You’ll get some history in this book, but it’s mostly about the author’s relationship with his guide dog that rescued him from his self-pity. Middle grades could probably read this book on their own. Younger readers may enjoy the story if it’s read to them.

“Tom and Bear: The Training of a Guide Dog Team” by Richard McPhee

This is also an older book, but it’s for junior high to adult readers. It’s more journalistic in style, but it tells the stories of twelve different men and women who get a seeing-eye dog. Readers will come to understand the working relationship that has to occur between an owner and the guide dog.

“Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero” by Michael Hingson and Susy Flory

This book was a New York Times bestseller when it came out. Although it’s written for adults, it’s a truly inspiring story that could be shared with students as young as junior high, even though you might want to read it together. Hingson describes his experience of surviving 9/11 with his guide dog who led him down 78 floors to safety.

“Hanni and Beth: Safe and Sound” by Beth Finke

This book is for younger readers, grades K–3. It’s written from the guide dog’s point-of-view, but Beth provides some personal notes. The story is inspiring, because it talks about teamwork and devotion. Kids will also learn about what it’s like to be blind.

“Morris and Buddy: The Story of the First Seeing Eye Dog” by Becky Hall

This book is for younger elementary age readers. It’s about Morris Frank and how he got his seeing-eye dog. The book is beautifully illustrated and highly inspirational. One of the key themes is how the two had to learn to trust each other. Morris Frank was an activist who brought seeing eye dogs into the public.

“Seizure-Alert Dogs” by Margaret Fetty

This book might be hard to find, but it’s a good one. It is for grades 3–6 and describes service-animal training, specifically about dogs sensing seizures. Another great book about the bond between dog and owner.

“Animal Helpers for the Disabled” by Deborah Kent

Grades 4–7 will enjoy this book about service animals, not only dogs but horses and monkeys, too. Readers will learn about the history of service animals and the training that each animal would receive to be a helper.