Saint Francis service dog Shanti earns his wings

Saint Francis Service Dog Shanti takes his first plane ride. Unlike some pets, service dogs ride in the passenger cabin. Shanti's handler says he handled his first flight like a pro.

By: WSLS-TV Staff Reports | WSLS
Published: April 23, 2008

As odd as it may seem to see a dog at the airport it's even stranger for dog ... At least this one. Shanti is going flying for the first time.

Connie Kniseley a trainer for Roanoke based Saint Francis Service Dogs brought Shanti to RoanokeRegional airport early the morning of April 22. “He's getting ready to be placed with somebody who is going to do some flying so we want to make sure he can do that well,” she said with the yellow Labrador beside her.

Shanti is two years old. He has been raised and trained at the Saint Francis Service Dog training center not far from Waldron Park in Roanoke. He is ready to begin his career helping people, but his proposed new owner flies occasionally, so Shanti must learn the ropes at the airport

He’s learning how to go through the ticket line -- not to be spooked by the escalator, or the plane itself.

Kniseley is nervous. “Today, sending him off on the airplane this is a first time I've done something like this, so we really see if he's trained, because I'm handing him off to somebody who doesn't know anything about training,” she said.

His escort will be Adina Rayfeld, who volunteers with a program called Puppies in Flight. She flew from New York to Roanoke just to take Shanti on a flight to Charlotte and back.

“Oh, I love it. I get such a thrill when I help with these animals. I know it's doing someone a good deed,” said Rayfield.

After introductions and a few words from his Kniseley, Shanti boards the plane.

He rides with the passengers-- sleeping under the seat in front of whoever he travels with.

Once back on the ground in Roanoke we learn how he dealt with turbulence.

“He does not like landings,” Rayfield said. “Going to Charlotte we hit one pocket and the plane took a nice roller coaster ride. He looked up and he reacted, but otherwise he was calm the whole trip.”

“On the way back,” she added, “I let the dog go into the cockpit and they loved it. The flight attendants and the passengers, they are amazed by the dogs. Whenever you have a working dog, it's the most magnificent thing to see people's faces.”

To learn more about Saint Francis Service Dogs click here.