CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cuyahoga County is officially recognizing September as National Service Dog Month in honor of the life-changing role service animals play in helping people with disabilities live more independently.

County Council announced the proclamation last week, highlighting the growing need for service dogs nationwide. While an estimated 70 million U.S. adults live with a disability, only about 16,000 service dogs from accredited training programs are currently in use, the proclamation reads.

September is already recognized nationally as Service Dog Month, but Council President Dale Miller wanted to bring awareness to the cause locally, to better educate the public about service dogs and help drive a more inclusive community for them and their handlers.

“Now, therefore, be it re

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