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

[allison depner]

cool!

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 30, 2015, at 9:39 PM, Lisa Irving via Nfbc-info <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello, 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> You may want to know.
> 
> 
> 
> 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
> News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com
> 
> 
> 
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