Newark Airport goes to the (guide) dogs as Seeing Eye training resumes

William Westhoven, Morristown Daily Record
Updated ·3 min read

Navigating Newark Liberty Airport, and commercial air travel in general, can be stressful for anyone. For blind or low-sighted individuals, a guide dog can make the difference in reaching a final destination with confidence.

Training, however, is essential, which is why the airport recently hosted 170 puppies and more than 200 volunteers from the Morristown-based Seeing Eye. The exercises earlier this month included a journey through Terminal C and boarding a United Airlines aircraft.

The Seeing Eye ran annual training at the airport for 25 years before the COVID-19 pandemic put it on hold in 2020. After a three-year hiatus, the program was once again unleashed on May 6 and 13.

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“We are excited to have it back at the airport,” said Kevin O’Toole, chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs Newark Airport. “We look forward to continuing the collaboration.”

The Port Authority, along with representatives from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and United Airlines, teamed with volunteers from The Seeing Eye, an internationally recognized nonprofit that helps blind and visually impaired people achieve greater independence and mobility through the use of guide dogs.

“These outings provide important exposure and prepare each puppy for their future as a Seeing Eye dog,” said the group's CEO, Peggi Howard.

The Morristown-based Seeing Eye resumed its annual guide-dog training at Newark Liberty this month after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic.
The Morristown-based Seeing Eye resumed its annual guide-dog training at Newark Liberty this month after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic.

All Seeing Eye dogs get their start at the Morris County organization's breeding facility in Chester. At 7 or 8 weeks old, they are housed with volunteer foster families who live within driving distance of The Seeing Eye. Volunteers come from as far as eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New York.

The foster families care for the pups until they are about 13 to 16 months old, allowing them to socialize while learning basic obedience and house manners. They are then returned to The Seeing Eye's Morristown area facilities for four months of intense training with expert handlers.

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In the latter stages of that process, dogs are matched with their future owners for training that includes fieldwork on the streets of downtown Morristown, about 23 miles west of Newark Airport.

Boarding United airplane

Guide dogs and trainers practiced boarding a United Airlines plane as part of the exercises.
Guide dogs and trainers practiced boarding a United Airlines plane as part of the exercises.

During this year's training visit, dozens of German shepherds, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers and mixed-breed puppies were led through Terminal C’s baggage areas, checkpoints and gates and aboard the Airtrain Newark shuttle and a United jet.

“United’s role in this valuable training exercise is just one way we’re working to help people with visual disabilities better navigate the travel experience more independently,” said Kevin Cumiskey, the airline's regional manager for inflight regional training.

Port Authority police pitched in to help familiarize the puppies with emergency equipment and vehicles.

“These types of opportunities are a win-win,” said Tom Carter, the TSA's federal security director for New Jersey. “It's a win for the dogs, who have the opportunity to get familiar with the checkpoint experience so that when they come back with the people they are trained to assist, they’ll be comfortable."

“It's a win for the dogs, who have the opportunity to get familiar with the checkpoint experience," said a TSA official.
“It's a win for the dogs, who have the opportunity to get familiar with the checkpoint experience," said a TSA official.

The cost to create one Seeing Eye partnership is $70,000, the organization estimates. Because of funding, largely by foundations, private donors and corporate sponsorships, current students still pay only $150 for their guide dog and training, which takes 24 days for newcomers and 18 for returning students.

The cost reflects the original tuition in 1929, which at the time represented about a third of the total cost.

New Jersey designated the Seeing Eye dog as the official state dog in 2019.

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com; Twitter: @wwesthoven

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Newark Liberty Airport guide dog training exercises resume