Imperial County Recognizes Service Dog Awareness Month Through Austin and Pacifica’s Story

-Editorial 

For 14-year-old Austin James Morales, Pacifica has been more than a constant companion. The German Shepherd mix has helped him manage challenges associated with autism. Austin and his mother, Heather Morales of Brawley, shared their experience as Imperial County recognizes September 2026 as Service Dog Awareness Month for the first time.

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation Sept. 22 recognizing the role trained service dogs play in assisting people with disabilities and promoting greater independence, accessibility, and inclusion.

The proclamation also recognizes Access to Independence for its advocacy and community education on disability rights, accessibility, and the role of service animals.

Service dogs can be trained to perform specific tasks for people with physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, and other disabilities. The county resolution stated that greater public awareness can also help residents understand how to interact appropriately with service dogs and their handlers.

Heather Morales said Pacifica was trained specifically to assist Austin through three primary tasks: pressure, redirection, and tethering.

“Some of Austin’s worst attributes were the self-harming, the taking off, and doing the redirection with him,” Morales said. “She would sit on him when he was having a hard time, lick him, and that would help him prevent going into meltdowns.”

Pacifica also served as an anchor when Austin was younger and at risk of running away, Morales said. Austin could be tethered to the dog, which was trained to lie down if he attempted to leave unexpectedly.

“If he were to need to run off, she would lie down so that he couldn’t go anywhere, and she would be his anchor,” Morales said. “Over the years, she has done such an amazing job with him.”

Now thanks to Pacifica, Austin is doing better in school and making new friends. 

Pacifica’s path to becoming a service dog began as a rescue. Morales said the German shepherd mix underwent a series of evaluations to determine whether she would be a suitable match for Austin.

Once selected, Pacifica underwent about 18 months of service dog training. The family then spent another six months learning to work with her before she passed her service dog test and went home with them.

Austin, now a ninth grader, said Pacifica has made a significant difference in his life.

“Very helpful,” Austin said when asked what Pacifica has meant to him. “She has reduced a lot of my autistic issues.” 

Austin said Pacifica was beside him when he delivered his first speech. He spoke about her commands, training, and the work she performs as a service dog. The experience helped him develop confidence in public speaking, he said, and his presentation went on to win at the county level.

Daniel Flores, program manager for Access to Independence, said the county proclamation provides an opportunity to educate residents about the distinction between a trained service dog and a pet or companion animal.

“It is the first time being recognized here in Imperial County,” Flores said of Service Dog Awareness Month. “As many people know, this is a topic that needs to be discussed more often. A service dog is not just companionship, but it’s a way of independence for people with disabilities.”

The local awareness effort will continue on Oct. 1, when Access to Independence holds its second annual Service Dog Awareness Resource Fair at the El Centro Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Flores said the event will include community resources and a panel discussion explaining service dogs and how they differ from companion animals.