WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester Regional Airport and Massport welcomed America’s VetDogs for a training session on Friday. While unfamiliar airports can present a lot of distractions, the nonprofit says it’s a great environment to train future service dogs.
What You Need To Know
- Massport and America's VetDogs hosted a training session at the Worcester Regional Airport to get service dogs and their partners familiar with new places
- The training marked the end of two weeks of lessons for the teams
- VetDogs trains and places service dogs for those with physical disabilities, guide dogs for individuals who are blind or have low vision, service dogs to help mitigate the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and facility dogs as part of the rehabilitation process in military and VA hospitals
One step and sniff at a time, navigating the airport is the final lesson in two weeks of training for the service dogs and their partners.
“This is a great opportunity to be at Worcester Regional Airport," New England Program Coordinator Sarah Blomstedt said, "just taking in the sights and sounds of unfamiliar environments.”
“This is the final test. So, we do keep up our obedience daily," veteran Vikki Cortez said. "We’ll do a couple of them daily just to keep them in shape. We do re-certifications every year. But this is it!”
Cortez said she’s glad she found out about America’s VetDogs and she’s got a perfect match.
“I was very excited when I finally got the call that I got matched with the dog," Cortez said. "I personally have issues being out in public and I have back issues. So, Marcus has just made me be able to live a more independent life, made me feel more normal. It's life-changing.”
Marcus and his friends at the Worcester Airport had some experience leading the way on Friday as Sully, former president George H.W. Bush’s dog, helped demonstrate the team-building exercises.
“As the veterans were paired with their dogs recently, they're new and they're just learning to work together and getting to know each other," Blomstedt said. "So, the veterans are able to go into this amazing airport and have a new setting to be in. And just get used to working together as a team.”
Blomstedt said America’s VetDogs puts an emphasis on pairing the dogs with the right people. The national nonprofit, started in 2003, provides free service dogs to veterans, active-duty service members and first responders.
“Having a service dog with them on the way is not only a companion," Blomstedt said, "but it's really somebody that’s able to be there to support them and have them feel confident and better prepared and able to navigate different situations.”
“I found out through my therapist about America’s Vet Dogs," Cortez said. "I wish more people would know about it. I think it should be the first thing veterans try before all the medications and all the other things."
The America’s VetDogs mission is to help those who have served our country honorably live with dignity and independence.