[msb-alumni] At Detroit Metro Airport, this trip's for the dogs

  • From: Steve <pipeguy920@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <msb-alumni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2015 13:26:52 -0500

BlankAt Detroit Metro Airport, this trip's for the dogs One by one, the six 
black labs and their trainers boarded the escalator to the tram inside the 
Ed McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport. Passersby took pictures of 
the well-behaved pups. Some wanted to stop and play with them. This mission, 
though, was serious business. The dogs were in the airport getting real-life 
experience as part of a tour through the terminal to see how they would 
behave while using the tram, waiting at the gate or boarding a plane when 
eventually paired with disabled partners. If they can feel comfortable here, 
they're going to feel comfortable when they go home (with their new 
owners)," said Katie Rebella of Mort Crim Communications, who was working 
with Rochester Hills firm Leader Dogs for the Blind for their training 
mission. The airport has been home base of sorts for about 10 years for 
training guide dogs in connection with the partnership with Leader Dogs for 
the Blind. Delta Air Lines and the Transportation Security Administration 
also participated in the experience, which saw dogs going through the 
airport process from the security line to being seated on the plane. The 
dogs would be brought to the airport in the past, never making it beyond the 
security check-in as part of their experience. "It's our goal to provide 
real training with dogs to put them at ease when they're paired with their 
owners," said Michelle Plawecki, community relations manager with the Wayne 
County Airport Authority. "And we hope that in itself will encourage more 
people to fly. Tina Goedertier, an apprentice for Leader Dogs, tries to get 
Connie, a black labrador retriever, situated under the seat of an airplane 
as part of their training at Detroit Metro Airport on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 
2015. (Photo: Jessica J. Trevino Detroit Free Press) Leader Dogs for the 
Blind, started in 1939 by three Detroit-area Lions Club members, seeks to 
give independence to those blind, visually impaired or deaf and blind 
through the dogs. Selected at birth, the dogs are raised for a year in 
foster homes then put through four months of intense training with guide dog 
instructors. After the training, their potential owners are brought to town 
where they are trained along with the dog for a month. "It gets complex 
matching the right dog with the right person," said Keith McGregor, the 
director of canine training and deaf-blind services for Leader Dogs for the 
Blind. Most of the dogs are German shepherds, golden retrievers or Labrador 
retrievers, and are at least 17 months old when they go home alone with an 
impaired owner. More than 14,000 dogs have been paired with impaired owners 
through the program. The only hic'cup' along the demonstration came as the 
trainers and their charges headed toward the service animal relief area. A 
few dogs didn't make the final turn before they had to relieve themselves. 
Leader dogs patiently sit while in training at Detroit Metro. (Photo: 
Jessica J. Trevino Detroit Free Press) McGregor came to the rescue, 
revealing a plastic bag he said he had on hand. Just in case. Tina 
Goedertier of Lake Orion, who has been working with Leader Dogs for the 
Blind for seven years, including the last year as an apprentice guide dog 
mobility instructor, said the job combines helping people and animals, which 
is a big plus for her. She feels a sense of accomplishment when a dog she's 
trained is paired and goes home with an owner. It's also when the waterworks 
start, she said. "It's very rewarding to watch them succeed," said 
Goedertier, 33. "But I'm a crier. I try not to let anybody see it, though. 
Contact Marlon A. Walker: 313-223-4531 or mwalker@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.

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