ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Lehigh County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved a measure declaring September National Service Dog Month in Lehigh County.

According to the resolution, service dogs are “specially trained to perform specific tasks for persons with disabilities as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

The management board voted unanimously for the measure, which was also supported by the entire board.

According to the resolution, assistance dogs assist the visually and hearing impaired, support mobility, alert to diabetes, and provide psychiatric and autism support.

Commissioner Jeffrey Dutt said the appointment will hopefully raise awareness of the need for service dogs, not only in Lehigh County, but across the country.

In fact, the resolution states that “approximately 64 million adults and children have a disability, and there are only 16,000 service dogs from accredited training programs nationwide, and the need is growing.”

According to the resolution, service dogs give people the opportunity to live independent lives. The designation enables education about service dogs and the laws that protect them, the resolution states.

The commissioners then discussed public places where they had seen the four-legged companions in action, such as the Lehigh Valley International Airport or the Coca-Cola Stadium at an IronPigs game.

“Anytime we can ensure access to public facilities to help people better integrate into the community, it’s nice to see how we can use our facilities for that mission,” said Board Chairman Geoff Brace.

Funding applications

In other news, commissioners voted to support a request from the coroner’s office for a $242,675 grant from the Commonwealth of Financing Authority–Pennsylvania Gaming Local Share Account. The office will use the money to purchase a special emergency vehicle for death investigations.

Finally, commissioners voted to support a request for another Commonwealth Financing Authority-Pennsylvania Gaming Local Share Account grant for Lehigh County related to the Lehigh County Emergency Management Vehicle Replacement and Improvement Project. The Office of Emergency Management will apply for a grant in the amount of $2.140 million.

Officials said the project will “significantly improve the county’s emergency response capabilities by replacing aging vehicles, acquiring modern equipment and improving communications systems… to modernize emergency responders’ tools and resources and ensure they can effectively protect public safety in the county and surrounding areas.”

Budget dates

The committee also announced budget dates for this fall. Officials said a budget presentation will be held on Sept. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the public hearing room at the Lehigh County Government Center in Allentown.

Tragedy on the railway line

In final comments of the meeting, Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi expressed his condolences to the family of Angel Luis Rivera, who died Sunday morning when he was struck by a train at a railroad crossing in Alburtis.

The 26-year-old suffered numerous blunt force injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

“I want to express my condolences, but I also want to remind our community to be careful around the racetrack. It is very important to follow the safety measures,” Cole-Borghi said.