Going through airport security and boarding a plane can be a tough experience for the visually impaired, but thanks to some special training Tuesday, dogs from the Southeastern Guide Dogs will make that process easier.
- Southeastern Guide Dogs puppy training at St. Pete-Clearwater Airport
- Dogs give visually impaired people a sense of independence
- Training is vital to the dogs
The furry, friendly and oh so adorable pooches looked cute and cuddly, but the puppies from Southeastern Guide dogs got down to serious business. Some of the dogs are only a few months old.
One puppy trainer said the training the dogs received at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is vital for the dogs.
"They need to be in this kind of a situation because they'll be put in all sorts of situations when they're actually working," said Barbara Lindley.
The dogs' hard work will give people who are visually impaired a chance to feel independent. They were able to sit in baggage claim, go through TSA and board an airplane just like they'll do once they become fully trained guide dogs.
The Saint Pete-Clearwater International Airport hosts this training once a year for the guide dogs. They have airport staff and an airplane set up just for the dogs.
Once we got past all of this cuteness, we found some of the dogs and their dog raisers with interesting stories. There was Nemo the dog who was named after a decorated Vietnam K9. There was also Hillary Clinton the dog, not the candidate.
Even though none of the dogs are running for the highest office in the land, the work that she'll do for the person she ends up with will be impactful.
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport hosts this training once a year for the guide dogs from all over the county. There's airport staff and an airplane set up just for the dogs to train.