Guide dogs for the visually impaired training at Oakland International Airport

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - The Oakland International Airport was taken over Saturday morning by several dozen guide dogs for the visually impaired.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind brought in the animals, so they can adapt to the sights and sounds of a busy airport.

The dogs went through a terminal, checked out the baggage claim, and even boarded an airplane.

Organizers say this exercise might pique the interest of travelers at the airport, but the mission is to train these young puppies to help them acclimate to a busy environment visited frequently by people who are visually impaired.

Guide Dogs for the Blind is based in San Rafael, with a second campus in Oregon.

More than 15,000 guide teams hvae graduated from the academy since it was founded in 1942.