I had an experience last weekend that will make you all walk a little taller if you have anything to do with this industry:

On a beautiful morning on the ramp at Global Exec Aviation in Long Beach just before sunrise, 60 small crates with 60 small dogs were neatly lined up below a GIII waiting to be loaded, with their foster parents looking on. They were leaving California to find their “fur-ever” family through the combined efforts of a great organization: Orange Dog and the Edmonton (Canada) Humane Society.

Orange Dog founder, Jan Folk was busy going from carrier to carrier getting to know each of her guests personally before boarding - and so was I. Jan had learned that there was a demand for these small dogs in Edmonton; she also knew that the shelters in southern California where she lives were overflowing with these little  cuties, with little hope for adoption. It just seemed natural to her to load up a plane and take as many as she could up there the right way instead of shipping them in cargo. This was her fifth trip.

Captain Ramon, First Officer Dan and Orange Dog Founder, Jan Folk

I learned about Orange Dog’s Freedom Flights and offered the help of Sit ‘n Stay Global, since we specialize in flight attendants who work on private jets and are specifically trained in Pet Safety Protocols, Pet First Aid and CPR. Jan was kind enough to accept my offer and I was honored to be included as a guest on this most recent Freedom Flight. What an amazing experience! The feeling of something “good” happening was pervasive. Everyone worked together; every step of the process went smoothly since everyone had the same goal in mind.

Once in the air you might think it was a bit chaotic with 60 pups on board, but a wonderful sense of calm descended upon the cabin in flight. It was as if they knew something good was happening. A few of them had a bit to say, but like any human passenger they calmed right down if I just went back and listened to them for a few minutes. Truly, it was far calmer than a full flight of humans to Teterboro . . .

We landed to one of the most joyous celebrations I have ever seen. It out-did most rock star arrivals . . . these pups were home! I thought some of them would be adopted before they left the ramp. They all took it in their stride, seeming to know that this was the best day of the rest of their life. There were volunteers everywhere that scooped them up and took them off to the Edmonton Humane Society which is a truly amazing facility that revolutionizes how animals are treated in shelters. I learned they wouldn’t last long there though, due to the amazing work the EHS and Orange Dog had done to get the word out that these dogs were on their way. There was actually a waiting list for each dog that had gone from virtually unadoptable to rock star in a single day. All it took was someone caring enough to use what they had available to make a difference.

So take a long look at that beautiful shiny tube as you approach it next time and realize what truly important things it can accomplish. Sure, we get a lot of business done up there and it is a great convenience and time saver. It enhances security and cuts all sorts of red tape, but it can also be used as a real instrument for good and can change lives and we can each be a part of it. Believe me, it feels really good!

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 24th February 2011 | Issue #114

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