Alaska Airlines Collaborates with Guide Dogs for the Blind to Update Policy and Allow Service Animals in Training to Travel

Alaska Airlines, in collaboration with Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), has updated their Accessible Travel Services policy to allow service animals in training to travel domestically at no cost.

“GDB is honored to partner with Alaska Airlines and we are thrilled that our guide dog puppies in training will now have the ability to practice traveling both in the airport and in cabin. This type of exposure helps to prepare them for the highest level of service dog work -- becoming a guide dog for someone who is blind or visually impaired,” said Christine Benninger, Guide Dogs for the Blind president and CEO. “We very much appreciate Alaska Airlines’ ongoing efforts to improve independent travel and customer service for all travelers, especially those with disabilities.”

Listed are some of the requirements:

-Travel is wholly within the United States.
-Space confirmed in advance.
-The service dog is being transported by their trainer/raiser.
-The trainer/raiser can provide a health certificate for the dog in training and an official ID card issued by the assistance organization.

“Making travel easier for our customers is a mantra at Alaska Airlines,” said Len Wolford, Alaska Airlines passenger service policy and procedure specialist. “When Guide Dogs for the Blind asked us to adopt a policy that would welcome ‘dogs in training’ on our planes, we responded quickly and waived our standard fee to allow service dogs-in-training to travel free of charge.”

Alaska Airlines and GDB recently hosted an exclusive event at Sea-Tac Airport for individuals who are 

blind and visually impaired, as well as GDB graduates and volunteers, to enhance the travel experience for all.

GDB puppy raising volunteers raise puppies from age eight weeks to 16-18 months, at which point they can enter into formal guide dog training. During this time in the puppy raising home, families are responsible for providing their guide dog puppies with a well-rounded, nurturing environment. To support the puppy raisers, GDB offers a comprehensive puppy raising manual, organized training and socialization through meetings with other local Puppy Raising clubs, as well as staff that offer training and problem solving for the pups and their raisers. GDB currently has over 2,000 active puppy raising volunteers in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington.

With several hundred puppies needing raiser homes every year, puppy raisers are a critical part of producing highly trained guide dogs and other service dogs. People interested in Puppy Raising can learn more here: www.guidedogs.com/puppy

To view Alaska Airline’s full updated policy regarding Accessibly Travel Services, specifically Service Animals in Training, please visit: http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/accessible-services/specialservices-support-animals.aspx

Read More

GDB Puppy Raisers Team Up with Alaska Airlines at Oakland International Airport

By: GDB Puppy Raiser Cynthia Money

We want to thank Alaska Airlines for our recent Oakland International Airport puppy raising outing; it was a huge success! We had 15 puppies from four local GDB puppy raising clubs attend. The team at Alaska Airlines is beyond amazing!

“We are so grateful to Alaska Airlines personnel in Oakland for taking the time to expose our guide dog puppies to various elements of the air travel experience. Their generosity of time and spirit made a tremendous difference in the puppies’ journey to becoming working guides, as well as benefit numerous handlers’ travel experiences in the future." – GDB President and CEO Christine Benninger

Here are some images and quotes from puppy raisers about the outing:

"This is the best outing I have ever been on as a puppy raiser. I've been a puppy raiser for over 10 years and I've never seen a company so excited to work with me and my guide dog puppy. I would never entertain the thought of traveling with my guide dog puppy in training, but after today I will not only consider it, but look at Alaska Airlines first for all my travel needs." – Karen with guide dog puppy Daisuke 

"Thank You, Alaska Airlines, for giving my guide dog puppy the opportunity to experience everything in an airport that she would encounter in a real life situation with a blind handler. The hospitality and kindness that your employees showed us puppy raisers is unlike anything I have ever experienced on a socialization outing with my puppy. I feel very strongly that my puppy, Jolene, will be able to handle any airport setting and actual flight thanks to you guys. Thank you for giving us the best socialization opportunity I have seen in my five years of training guide dog puppies!" – Emily with guide dog puppy Jolene 

"It was an amazing experience for us! Shania did a fantastic job during all facets of the tour. I appreciate Alaska Airlines and all that they did to make this possible...they rolled out the red carpet and exposed our guide dog puppies in training to a wonderful outing. The Alaskan Airlines staff was so gracious, professional, and kind. The learning experience went beyond the puppies, raisers, and staff, but to everyone in the airport as well. An incredible day and very successful for our guide puppy in training, Shania. THANK YOU." – David and Hope with guide dog puppy Shania 

"I want to pass along my THANKS to Alaska Airlines and all the incredible employees who helped with our visit to the Oakland Airport last week. This was one of the best run and well executed events ever as a Guide Dogs for Blind puppy raiser. All of your employees were professional and a great group to work with. The ability to socialize our pups on a real aircraft goes a long way in preparing them for their future as a working guide dog. Thank you again for your support of GDB and its puppy raising community." – Mark and Leslie with guide dog puppy Vidal 

"I so appreciated the opportunity Alaska Airlines provided our Elroy, to train him for what will come very soon in his flight to his new home; it is invaluable training. We so appreciated the welcoming attitude and the professionalism and care that Alaska Airlines employees displayed. Starting with helping us through the TSA and check-in process, to showing us the plane and allowing our dogs to get comfortable in their positions in their seats, to delivering our wonderful goody bags. It was a great experience from beginning to end. We really appreciate Alaska Airlines and what they did for us!" – Nancy with guide dog puppy Elroy 

We can't thank Alaska Airlines enough for such a special outing!

Read More