[Nfbc-info] guide dog puppies in training can fly

[Lisa Irving]

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SOURCE: PRNEWSWIRE
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."
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 on GDB's website:
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/specialserv
ices-support-animals.aspx
About Guide Dogs for the Blind
> Guide Dogs for the Blind is more than an industry-leading Guide Dog
school;
we are a passionate community that serves the visually impaired. With
exceptional client services and a robust network of trainers, puppy raisers,
donors and volunteers, we prepare highly qualified guide dogs to serve and
empower individuals who are blind or have low vision. All of our services
are provided free of charge; we receive no government funding. GDB is
headquartered in San Rafael, California, with a second campus in Boring,
Oregon. More than 12,500 teams have graduated since our founding in 1942,
and there are approximately 2,200 active teams in the field. For more
information, call (800) 295-4050 <tel:%28800%29%20295-4050>  or visit
www.guidedogs.com.
About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, together with its partner
regional airlines, serves more than 100 cities through an expansive network
in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in
Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the
J.D. Power North American Airline Satisfaction Study for eight consecutive
years from 2008 to 2015. Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan also ranked "Highest
in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in the J.D.
Power 2014 and 2015 Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report. For
reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit
the Alaska Airlines Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.
Media Contact: Karen Woon, Guide Dogs for the Blind, 415.271.0575,
kwoon at guidedogs.com
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