When you travel with a guide dog it is very different than when you are taking along a pet of any sort. Your pet must be put into a cage and it is wise to sedate them as they travel below in the cargo section. The cargo section is very close to the engine and it is noisy often making your pet very nervous. The travel with a guide dog is so very much different.

Airlines are very much aware of the fact that all guide dogs are there to help their master and they are very well trained. Most guide dogs have experience in traveling inside the airplane and do not fear flying. I received my first guide dog from Pilot Dog that is located in Columbus, Ohio. After a lengthy stay being trained by a professional trainer my guide dog Magnum and I were ready for our long flight home. I live in Michigan so I had to fly from Columbus, Ohio to Grand Rapids, Michigan with my guide dog. I thought that the experience was wonderful and I would advise anyone who has a guide dog to feel very comfortable about flying.

The trainers at Pilot Dog had already given me instructions about feeding and watering magnum on my flight as well as how to transfer from one flight to the next. I was taken to the airport early that morning and my instructor Steve stayed with me until I was able to board the airplane. Once the stewardess opened the gate I was permitted to go in first with Magnum. People I am sure were all staring at us but it was alright Magnum knew what to do and he took me straight to first class. He followed the stewardess without hesitation until we got to our seating arrangement. The airlines are very nice because all guide dogs get to go to the first class section even though we had not paid for that area. That is a special treatment given to anyone who has a guide dog.

Next I let Magnum go into the seat next to the window then I followed suit setting by the outer area. One of the pilots came and greeted me and Magnum and spoke to us before the plane took off. I was showed a bar that I could tie Magnum too. The stewardess brought me a soda and a disposable bowl full of water just for Magnum. Magnum stayed on the floor during the whole flight until it was time to get off and transfer in Dayton, Ohio. The pilot explained that when we got off he would be more than glad to take me to an area where Magnum could relieve himself. He said it was best that he did it as we got off rather than the pilot on the plane we were going to. The reason he smiled and said, “One of our pilots took a guide dog for relief then returned him to the owner on the plane. The people saw the pilot with the dog and assumed the pilot was blind refusing to board until the airport replaced him with someone who could see.” We both laughed about that. It was a fun adventure for both Magnum and I so please feel free to travel with your guide dog.