When it comes to training service dogs, practice makes perfect. This is why the MAC is teaming up with local organization Can Do Canines to ensure its dogs are ready to take flight.
The MAC recently built a replica of a plane's cabin at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to assist with training service dogs. The replica – located in the A Rotunda of Terminal 1-Lindbergh – gives trainers an opportunity to walk the dogs through a boarding scenario and help them become familiar with the constraints of a plane.
Prior to the replica's construction, service dog owners and trainers joined participants in the Navigating Autism program to walk through an actual plane as a part of their training. However, adding dogs to the mix caused a number of issues.
"Some of the autism program participants were scared of the dogs," said Shelly Lopez, emergency program coordinator. "Also, having 12 or so Labs walk through the cabin caused some issues with hair, and there was never enough time to clean the plane before passengers boarded."
Because a plane walk through is required for these dogs to "graduate" from their assistance program, Shelly approached Phil Burke, MSP operations director, and Rich Kargic, a pilot with Delta Airlines, to see if they could come up with a better scenario for service dog training. Building a replica seemed like the best option.
"Rich pulled some seats from old Delta planes, and the MAC carpenters agreed to take on the project," said Shelly.
The replica is built to the exact specifications of an actual plane – from the spacing between the seats to the curved walls. The precision of the project will give trainers and their dogs a real-life feel for what it will be like to fly.
The first canine walk through is scheduled for June 6. For more information on this new program, contact Shelly Lopez at 612-726-5239.
