Dilator dispensers and mounting apparatus and methods of dispensing and mounting nasal dilators to enable dilation to external tissue are provided. An apparatus may be used with a variety of types and sizes of dilator devices, including traditional elongate dilator devices for humans and animals such as horses, dogs and the like. A compact, portable, protective dilator dispenser is provided so that a user may readily access and apply a dilator device at any time. A combined apparatus including a dilator dispenser and a mounting aid is provided for a dilator device so that a dilator device may be quickly, easily and accurately applied by a user.