On 8 October 2024, a training session on evacuation of blind passengers with guide dogs was held at the B21 training centre of Vnukovo International Airport. This event was the result of long-term co-operation between the airport and the All-Russian Society for the Blind (VOS), the press service of Vnukovo Airport reported.
As part of the training, instructors from the Russian VOS Guide Dog Training School arrived at the training centre with their pets to teach the dogs how to overcome the psychological barrier and fear of the inflatable gangway, which is often used during evacuation from planes.
‘Dogs encountering the inflatable gangway for the first time were reluctant and apprehensive to board the simulator. To overcome this barrier, a demonstration of the descent was conducted by Anastasia Lopaeva, a specialist-cynologist of the first category of the airport’s aviation security service, and her Belgian Malinois shepherd dog named Ultra, who has experience of such exercises. Despite the initial fear, the dogs trusted their owners and followed their commands,’ the airport representative said.
According to Irina Medvedeva, head of the airport’s group for organising services for passengers with limited mobility, three or four repetitions are enough for the animal’s fear to go away and the reflex to take hold. In the future, the airport plans to work with BOC to develop a training course for guide dogs so that they can act in an emergency situation on board an aircraft.
Co-operation with BOC allows Vnukovo Airport to receive expert evaluation and implement best practices aimed at improving safety and comfort for all passengers, regardless of their capabilities and needs. According to p. 113 of the order of the Ministry of Transport No. 82 of 28.06.2007, a guide dog can be carried free of charge on air transport if it has a document confirming its special training, as well as a document confirming the visual disability of the passenger. The dog must have a collar, muzzle and be tied to the seat at the passenger’s feet.
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