Puppies fly through airline training in journey to become guide dogs

Young pups boarded the airline coach service in their quest to become fully trained guide dogs.

Labrador quartet Freda, Peaches, Rodney and Tally visited Oxford Bus Company’s Cowley depot along with their volunteer puppy raisers for a key training session.

The pups successfully navigated the stairs and aisle with their puppy raisers, who also got the chance to sit behind the wheel of an airline coach, while the training provides a valuable socialisation experience for the dogs.

There was a twist in the tail as it was discovered on the trip that Freda and Rodney are in fact siblings and living just a couple of counties apart.

Although they had never met before, the siblings quickly struck up a bond and played happily together.

Older duo Peaches (14 months) and Tally (13 months) are due to step up to advanced training in the coming weeks and months.

The recent training session was the latest collaboration between the sight loss charity Guide Dogs and Go Thames Valley, the major public transport operator which oversees businesses including Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, Carousel Buses, City Sightseeing Oxford and the airline.

Back in September, four other young guide dog pups got their first taste of riding the bus with Oxford Bus Company, completing a special custom route through the city centre aboard one of City Sightseeing Oxford’s open-top, double-decker buses.

In January 2025, two puppies took part in a one-hour session to learn how to get on and off the bus safely, settle when a vehicle is in transit, and become familiar with being around multiple people in an enclosed space.

The collaboration between Go Thames Valley and Guide Dogs allows volunteer puppy raisers free travel on bus services, while trainee assistance dogs can familiarise themselves with public transport.

Mandy Jones, Puppy Development Advisor at Guide Dogs, said: “Introducing our puppies to lots of different sights, sounds and smells early on is incredibly important.

“The aim is to familiarise them with surroundings they might find themselves in with future guide dog owners, including buses, and help them navigate any new situations calmly and confidently.

“Trips like this are a chance for the pups to practice in a safe environment with the support of their puppy raisers, so we’re grateful to Oxford Bus Company for inviting us.

“Our volunteer puppy raisers play a vital role in the journeys of future guide dogs like Freda, Peaches, Rodney and Tally.

“Without the loving homes and foundation they provide, we simply wouldn’t be able to train the hundreds of life-changing guide dogs we do each year to support people with sight loss across the UK.

“But we need more puppy raisers across Oxfordshire to help. I’d urge anyone with space in their heart and home for a guide dog puppy to visit our volunteering page to check what opportunities are available and sign up.”

Luke Marion, Managing Director of Go Thames Valley, said: “We enjoyed welcoming back Guide Dogs to our depot, and it was particularly lovely to see volunteers discover the family connection between two of the pups.

“Familiarity with public transport is essential for the puppies, who will later assist those who are registered blind or visually impaired to confidently travel to work, shops, and to visit family and friends.

“Helping deliver that independence is a rewarding part of our ongoing relationship with Guide Dogs and our teams enjoy seeing the puppies progress from their training to becoming regular users of our services with their new owners.”

Registered assistance dogs including guide dogs are welcome on the airline, forming part of the service’s accessibility offering. All coaches are wheelchair accessible while every driver takes part in the Oxfordshire County Council approved Disability Awareness Training.

The airline provides a day and night service between Oxford and Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, calling at Lewknor Turn and High Wycombe. Find out more about puppy raising opportunities at: www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering/volunteer-with-our-dogs/puppy-raiser/