guide dog in train station

International Guide Dog Day

International Guide Dog Day is celebrated on the last Wednesday in April each year. It marks the establishment of the International Federation of Guide Dog Associations on 26th April 1989. International Guide Dog Day is an opportunity to celebrate the work of guide dogs around the world and raise awareness of the importance of guide dog services to help people who are blind or have low vision live life on their terms.

 IGDF encourages all guide dog organisations to get involved and arrange local events to celebrate their fantastic work. If you are thinking of arranging an event, please let us know by contacting the IGDF Office. Please remember to take lots of photos at your event, and send these to us, so we can publish them here.

For further International Guide Dog facts and figures, please see our Facts and Figures page.

2025

Press Release:

International Guide Dog Day 2025

Gallery: 

Samsung Guide Dogs, South Korea

In Korea, the Welfare of Disabled Persons Act guarantees access to assistance dogs unless there is a legitimate reason to refuse access (such as infection control or hygiene management).

Samsung Guide Dogs in South Korea, did a meaningful awareness event outside the courts, including guide dog demonstrations and training for court employees. It was a time to think about what kind of support blind people need to receive alongside judicial services in the future.

Samsung Guide Dog public demonstrations in city square
guide dog instructor assisting a suited woman in a blindfold on a demonstration walk with a guide dog. Many men in suits watch on.
Guide Dog Etiquette and Welfare of Disabled Persons Act Awareness campaign signs
guide dog instructor assisting a man in a blindfold on a demonstration walk with a guide dog.
2 people having their photo taken with a guide dog in harness through a giant photo frame.

In Korea, university students wear jumpers with university names on them. Samsung Guide Dogs held an event to make and wear guide dog jumpers.
At this event, the participation rate of foreign students was high, so it was a good time to teach guide dog etiquette not only to Korean students but also to various students around the world.

Korean University Students and large HYU mascot with Samsung Guide Dog campaigners at Hanyang University
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Australia

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT in Australia made a strong presence in Martin Place in the Sydney CBD, with large banners lining the streets, their 4.3 metre tall Guide Dog ‘Gulliver’, and an incredible turnout from our Clients with their Guide Dogs, as well as our Therapy and Court Companion Dogs.

Their team was on the ground engaging with the public throughout the day, helping raise awareness of our ‘Access Means Business’ campaign and the vital role Guide Dogs play in supporting people with low vision or blindness to live the life they choose.

Guide Dog owners and trainers in front of 4m guide dog statue
4.3 metre tall Guide Dog on a trailer with a real black labrador in front
Guide Dog access and inclusion campaign banners flying from lampposts
4m Guide dog statue surrounded by supporters
See Differently, South Australia

Royal Society for the Blind

Social media repost of the See Differently volunteering stand
Blindfold walk with a member of the public and long cane
See Differently staff and guide dog owners meeting members of the public

2024

Press Release:

International Guide Dog Day 2024

Gallery: 

8 Staff and clients of Guide Dogs for the Blind stand on a beach with their dogs

Guide Dogs for the Blind community (U.S.A) celebrating along the shore of Lake Ontario.  The photo depicts Guide Dogs for the Blind guide dog handlers, friends, and staff, on the Beaches Boardwalk in Toronto, Ontario after a fundraising walk in honor of International Guide Dog Day.

2023

2022

Press Release:

International Guide Dog Day 2022

Visionary: 

Read about International Guide Dog Day 2022 events in the July 2022 issue of Visionary

Gallery: 

Instructor with a dog in harness talking to a room of students
Instructor showing a tactile book to a blindfolded student
People releasing butterflies beside a guide dog memorial statue
Guide dog handlers with their guide dogs spread out on a lawn
Puppy Raisers walking dogs in harness through a city square

2021

Visionary: 

Read about International Guide Dog Day 2021 events in the July 2021 issue of Visionary

Gallery: 

Guide dog owners lined up along a pavement with their dogs
puppy raisers and their dogs on the steps in front of a building
guide dog owner crossing at a zebra crossing
guide dog and trainer demonstrating an obstacle course
3 black labradors in puppy coats walking with puppy raisers