Richmond airport opens doors to service dogs in training with Helping Howls program

Richmond International Airport opened its doors Friday to more than half a dozen service animals in training, giving the dogs — and their owners — a chance to navigate the airport environment before their first real flight.

The event was organized with help from Helping Howls, a service animal training organization. The dogs and their handlers worked through the full airport experience, including ticketing, TSA screening, and walking the terminal, so the animals could get familiar with the sights, sounds, and demands of air travel.

Troy Bell with Richmond International Airport said the real airport environment offers something no training facility can replicate.

"You really can't replicate in a training environment, what we have at the airport. The unique sounds all the people through here, the noises."

Bell also highlighted recent improvements the airport has made to better accommodate service animals. Both concourses now have indoor service animal relief areas.

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