Challenge Coins Observing National Dog Month

The month of August is often described as the “Dog Days” of summer, so that makes it the perfect time to celebrate National Dog Month to commemorate our furry friends. And challenge coins are a great way to honor the pups in our lives.

A dog is man’s (and woman’s) best friend, and August is a celebration of all loveable canines. Dogs are the most commonly owned pet on the planet, and for good reason. Dogs are wonderful companions that make us happy, take away our stress, and make us more optimistic.

Origins of National Dog Month

Any dog owner will tell you just how much their pup means to them. National Dog Month is the perfect opportunity for dog lovers to share their passion.

While the whole month is dedicated to celebrating dogs, the original celebration began as International Dog Day in 2004. That’s when animal behaviorist Colleen Paige designated August 26th as a day to honor dogs and promote pet adoptions from shelters.

In 2020, the J.M. Smucker Company, owner of the Milk-Bone® brand of dog treats, introduced National Dog Month, rather than just a single day. The month is a way to recognize how dogs make our lives better. From our pets to service dogs, K9 officers, working dogs or emotional support dogs, August celebrates all our canine friends and their positive influence on our world. 

Celebrating Canines

Dogs are known for their camaraderie and affection. Each one has his or her own distinct personality and quirks. Whether your dog plays in the rain, alerts you to health needs, or likes to snuggle up on the couch every night, dogs are unique to their owners and vice versa. Dog lovers understand that life without a dog is truly missing something special.

Benefits of Dogs

Studies have consistently shown that owning or even just being around dogs can have both mental and physical benefits. Here are some examples:

• Dogs Increase Our Happiness – staring into your dog’s eyes can raise both your and your dog’s levels of oxytocin, a hormone that can naturally boost your mood.
• Dogs make us feel less alone – The unconditional love dogs offer helps reduce feelings of social isolation. This can be particularly helpful for seniors. Pet therapy can boost both social interactions and cognitive function. For seniors with dementia, they can help reduce agitation as well.
• Dogs Increase Exercise Levels and Movement – Daily walks and play increase exercise for dog owners significantly. This helps lead to better fitness and better cardiovascular health.
• Dogs Reduce Our Stress –It’s true! Studies have shown that dogs help lower stress and anxiety levels. Dog owners tend to have improved responses to stress and even lower blood pressure.

Ways to Celebrate

Celebrating National Dog Month is easy.. Take the pup on a long walk, take them to the dog park, get a new toy, or share an extra treat. They deserve it! You can also make your next veterinarian appointment to ensure your pet's health. 

Other great ways to observe National Dog Month are donating, volunteering at your local shelter, or becoming a foster dog parent. The dogs and their future companions will be forever grateful for the help. You can even create a custom challenge coin that marks the month.

DOGust 1st

Another day to remember is the first day of August. Known as DOGust 1st, it’s the date considered as the universal birthday for shelter dogs who don’t have an official record. Established in 2008 by North Shore Animal League America, August 1st is also a date to recognize and celebrate the hard work of rescue and adoption organizations across the country.

The best way to observe DOGust 1st is to spread the word, and raise awareness about pet adoption services and shelters. Honor the dedicated people who go above and beyond to rescue and care for animals worldwide.

Celebrating With Challenge Coins

Challenge coins are an excellent way to commemorate just about any special celebration, including National Dog Month. You can use unique details and styles to create custom coins that celebrate individual dogs, teams or even entire shelters.

You have myriad ways to celebrate the wonders of your pups, including names, nicknames, birthday, images and anything else you’d like to include. You can feature images of one dog or multiples.

We can make custom coins come in virtually any shape or size, so you can feel free to get creative. Consider bone-shaped designs or elements such as collars, food bowls, and other distinctive details. How about an agility course picture?

Coins for Fundraising

For rescue and adoption agencies, challenge coins make outstanding fundraisers. Add slogans, logos or emblems of the organization, along with text celebrating National Dog Month. You can include contact information about the agency on the reverse. Sell them at pet shops, at the shelter, at community events, and raise needed money for shelter or agency operations.

National Dog Month is our chance to celebrate our canine companions and their friendship while spreading awareness about rescue and adoption organizations worldwide. Honor the month with something meaningful and memorable.

Thank you to all who work hard for all the loveable canines, making a better future for the dogs and their future owners.

Your Loyal Companion for Custom Challenge Coins

If you’re interested in challenge coins for DOGust 1st, International Dog Day (August 26th) or National Dog Month, ChallengeCoins4Less.com is your Number One choice We can produce coins that you and Fido, Spot, Scooby or Tralfaz (“Tralfaz?” Yecch!) will be proud of.

With 20 years of producing challenge coins for all occasions, we have the experience and the talent to create the perfect custom coins for you. If you’d like to find out more, give us a call at (855) 272-8451, or email us.

Already have an idea for your design? Great! Fill out our no-obligation free quote form and we’ll send you a free digital proof of your design. Whether you want to celebrate dogs, cats, people, events or anything else, we’re your one-stop source for outstanding coins. Let us show you how easy it can be to order great coins!