Have Paws Will Travel    
 Guide Dog Puppy Raising Club
 Arapahoe County, Colorado

Denver International Airport at night

Outing to Denver International Airport

Twelve people and eleven puppies of Have Paws Will Travel and Denver Eye Paws
have an airport experience.
March 15, 2005
paw print
Travel Info


SKY-RIDE SHUTTLE
Park and Ride
Most of the group met at the Park N Ride to catch the "Sky Ride" to the airport.
Our driver was quite cordial, and asked if we would leave "one of the golden dogs" with him to take home.
We appreicated his hospitality, but politely declined!
Our driver on the return trip was fabulous, too, calmly reassuring a passenger who was nervous about our puppies.
Thank you, RTD, for a great experience!






cougar liies down on the bus
Tucking under the seat  is an important skill every
Guide puppy needs to learn.
Susanne asks Cougar to lie down during the bus ride.
Kodak on the bus
Jim & Kodak settle in for the ride.

elton sits patiently
Elton enjoys looking at the traffic out the window.


CHECK-IN AREA
mulder at the checkin area
Jane & Mulder practice going through the check-in line.
 becker at the checkin area
Annette praises Becker. In a big place like the airport,
our dogs are confronted with a world of new stimuli;
it's important to make sure our puppies aren't getting
overwhelmed with the situation.


group walking
Bus riders met up with folks who drove to the airport at the check-in counters.
Then it was off to find the elevators and explore the Airport! Lynda & Akira take the lead.


ELEVATORS
akira & sherwood near escalator
Lynda & Akira, and Amanda & Sherwood hang out by the escalators and enjoy the view while they wait for the next elevator.
They have to wait because we never take our puppies escalators.
It's too easy to catch a toe-nail and injure a puppy.
 dogs entering the elevator
The last team on the elevator, Susanne has Cougar sit.
Carmen & Bayla, Jim & Kodak, and Tom & Elton
quietly wait for the doors to close.

It took four elevator cars for our entire group to get downstairs!


SECURITY
Group near the security area
 The group forms up at the entrance to security.


Since only ticked passenders are allowed to go through security, our Puppy Advisor, Barb Deevers, has a plan to simulate the experience for our puppies.
We will use chairs as a gate, and Barb will play the part of the security guard.
bayla praciting security procedures
Barb instructs Carmen on the proper way
to take a dog through a metal detector.
Bayla sits and stays while Carmen goes through first.
 cougar comes on command
After the person is through the security gate,
the dog is called to come to its handler.
Cougar comes happily to Susanne while Barb looks on.


security wand demo
With all their collar and leash hardware, our puppies always make the metal detectors beep.
Barb uses a water bottle as a security guard's wand. Jane's dog must sit quietly during the procedure.
The guard may then choose to pat down or wand the dog.
The puppy raiser should hold the dog by the collar to control its head during this process.
The puppy raiser must never relinquish control of the leash or drop it for a minute while going through security.
The dog is an extension of the person, and we may not be separated for any reason or at any time throughout the security process.


EXPLORING
waiting for elevator
Another elevator ride, and we're on our way!
 dogs enter the elevator
Looks like Mulder can't wait to get on the elevator!
Barb holds the door to make sure all puppies get on safely.


group walking by 2nd floor railing
Upstairs, the puppies must walk along a clear glass barrier, open to the security area below.
Close proximity to such a drop-off can be unnerving, but our puppies are doing well.


dog on a marble floor
Mulder relaxes on the cool polished marble and granite floor.
Exploring the airport is exhausting!
 concourse A
The group gets quite spread out, but we make sure to stay together.
Annette & Becker, Susanne & Cougar, and Carmen & Bayla take time to chat while the rest of the group catches up.


BAGGAGE CLAIM
baggage claim
Jim & Kodak, Mary Jo & Nana, and Annette & Becker watch the carousel go around.
None of the dogs seem to be particularly worried about the noise and motion.


baggabe claim
Amanda & Sherwood investigate a moving baggage carousel.

baggage carousel
Carmen & Bayla and Tom & Elton find a good spot to observe the activities.


oversized baggage claim
Mary Jo & Nana went by the oversized baggage carousel, too.


group walking away
Time to catch our bus back to the Park N' Ride.









The night went by so fast, it almost seems like a blur!
 sherwood walking
Amanda & Sherwood.