- Conferences
- Becoming a Member
- Facts and Figures
- History of IGDF
- Gifts in Wills
- International Guide Dog Day
- IGDF in the Media
- IGDF and ADI Joint Position Statements
- Starting a Guide Dog Organisation
- Section 7: Kennel services and /or boarding facilities
- Section 11: Adoption/career change services
- Development journey towards IGDF membership for emerging Guide Dog Organisations
- Organisation Structure
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
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.
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.
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.
See Differently, South Australia
Royal Society for the Blind
2024
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
Press Release:
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:
2021
Visionary:
Read about International Guide Dog Day 2021 events in the July 2021 issue of Visionary
Gallery:
