Trainee guide dogs take off training at Belfast City Airport

By Maria McCann

Puppies in training to be guide dogs have been practicing at Belfast City Airport.

The cute canines were put through their paces from experiencing checking in to boarding the planes.

Puppies & Puppy Walkers:

Pat & Alan, George & Carrie, Hawly & Ian, Orrlene & Monty, Presley & Christine, Finn & Peter, Pippa & Shirley, Jilly & Cath, Verdi & Barbara, Biscuit & Ricky

It's to get the dogs ready for working life where they will be required to face many different settings with confidence.

Eleven puppies-in-training and their handlers, known as Puppy Walkers, visited the airport to help the dogs familiarise themselves with the process of air travel.

Puppy Walkers are volunteers who offer foster homes to the puppies for the first year of their life, as well as basic training and socialisation for the puppies that aim to become Guide Dogs.

Michelle Hatfield, Director of Human Resources and Corporate Responsibility at Belfast City Airport, said: “It was fantastic to have the Guide Dog puppies at the airport for training, they really are extraordinary dogs.

"Their Puppy Walkers put so much hard work into their training and socialisation to ensure they experience as much as possible in their first year. “Customer service and safety is an integral part of our operations, so the training was useful for our staff as well as the puppies. We want to wish the puppies and their walkers all the best as they continue training and we look forward to seeing them check-in for their flights with us when the time comes.”

Ursula McCanny, Engagement Officer at Guide Dogs NI, added: “Guide Dogs NI supports the 18,000 people who are registered blind or partially sighted in Northern Ireland by helping them to live a more independent life. The training of these dogs is extensive, and introducing them to different public transportation hubs such as the airport is a vital part of their training.