The “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign glowed blue and yellow on Thursday, September 17, in honor of National Service Dog Month, reports FOX5 Las Vegas.

Clark County Commissioner April Becker led a ceremony at the landmark that morning.

The colors recognize the partnerships between service dogs and the people they help. Becker said those dogs give people with disabilities the independence to hold a job or live safely on their own.

Canine Companions, a national service dog nonprofit with a growing presence in Southern Nevada, called the county’s recognition a “milestone of global proportions.”

The group says the tribute helps build awareness and support for legal protections.

The moment comes as demand far outpaces supply. More than 70 million Americans live with a disability, but only about 16,000 service dogs from accredited programs are available nationwide.

KSNV News 3 reported that a Las Vegas Uber driver was the inspiration for the tribute. She appeared on the station to talk about the Canine Companions Las Vegas chapter.

Residents who want to learn more or get involved can visit canine.org.

Canine Companions was founded in 1975 and provides assistance dogs free of charge to children, adults, and veterans with disabilities. Its Southwest Region, which is based in Oceanside, California, covers Southern Nevada.

National Service Dog Month runs through the end of September.

Among September’s dog holidays, breed days, and awareness weeks, it comes with a reminder to never pet or distract a working dog without asking the handler first.

Handlers and business owners can review whether a business can ask for proof of a service dog in Las Vegas to understand what staff can and cannot ask.

In Northern Nevada, Liberty Dogs aims to match 200 veterans a year with service dogs from its new Reno campus.