Here's Why Hundreds Of Dogs Were At NJ Airport Last Weekend

NEWARK, NJ — Hundreds of eager puppies recently sniffed and pawed their way through an airport in New Jersey. The mission? To give them a head start on their quest to become loyal companions for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Last weekend, nearly 260 future guide dogs and 300 volunteers paid a visit to Terminal C in Newark Airport as part of an annual training day (watch video below).

The event, which is held in partnership with nonprofit The Seeing Eye, is now in its third decade.

Canines of all shapes and sizes – including golden retrievers, German shepherds, Labrador retrievers and mixes – walked and sniffed their way through the airport on Saturday.

With their human counterparts at their side, the diligent doggos walked their way through baggage claims, TSA checkpoints, gates, and even aboard a United Airlines aircraft.

The puppies also got to meet Port Authority police officers and firefighters, where they were introduced to emergency vehicles, bomb detection drills, and other exciting scenarios.

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The hands (and paws)-on moments helps to build the animals’ confidence and prepare them for the challenges ahead as guide dogs, Port Authority officials said.

“This program has become an essential part of our commitment to accessibility at Newark Liberty,” said Aidan O’Donnell, the Port Authority’s general manager of New Jersey airports.

The annual sojourn has also become a favorite among staff at The Seeing Eye, a Morristown-based group that is the nation's oldest guide dog school.

“Our Seeing Eye puppy raising volunteers always look forward to this unique socialization opportunity,” said Lauren Christie, assistant director of canine development.

“The exposure our puppies get – from navigating slippery floors and walking down a jetway, to calmly settling under an airplane seat – helps prepare them for the real-world experiences they’ll encounter as guide dogs,” Christie said.

“These outings also teach our dogs to be polite and unobtrusive travel companions, so they can fly comfortably without disrupting other passengers,” Christie added.

Kevin Cumiskey, United Airlines’ regional manager for inflight training, and Tom Carter, federal security director for New Jersey at the TSA, both agreed that the event can also benefit passengers and airline workers.

“Exposing the puppies to airport environments not only prepares them for real-world scenarios but also allows officers to refine their skills in assisting both the dogs and their handlers, ensuring a smoother and more respectful travel experience for everyone,” Carter said.

Port Authority officials said that the agency has been working towards making Newark Airport more inclusive to travelers with disabilities.

The airport recently unveiled a second sensory room in Terminal A, one of several resources available to travelers of all abilities across the agency’s airports.

• See Related: New Jersey Makes Progress On Disability Access: 8 Encouraging Stories
• See Related: See A Sunflower Lanyard At Newark Airport? Here’s What It Means
• See Related: 5 Tips For NJ Employers Who Want To Hire People With Disabilities

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