An Alaska Airlines flight that landed in Seattle on May 26 was carrying special cargo: five puppies who will be trained as guide dogs in Bellevue, Vashon Island and Snohomish County.

The puppies were placed with people from across the state — including the Cooper family of Bellevue — through Guide Dogs for the Blind. Although she’s never raised a puppy before, Emily Cooper, 13, and the other volunteers will help train the dogs to become service dogs for sight-impaired people.

“We had a friend who had done this, which gave Emily the idea,” Christine Cooper said, adding that it took some convincing before she warmed to the idea. “She’s responsible, she can do it.”

Volunteers are a vital part of raising and training high skilled guide dogs, the organization says. Cooper will teach her dog, Tarzan, about a dozen commands, how to interact in public and other skills until Tarzan enters formal training when he is 15 to 17 months old.

“It’s a little tricky sometimes, teaching these dogs how to navigate in public and also educating the public on how to interact with guide dogs,” said Guide Dogs for the Blind’s community field representative Ann Tyson.

Trainers have to undergo eight weeks of preparatory courses at local Guide Dogs clubs and “puppy sit” a handful of times before they are allowed their own dogs to train.

Approximately 25 volunteer dog trainers and 15 trainee service dogs were on hand to welcome their future brethren. Statewide, 100 puppies are currently being trained to be guide dogs. Many other retired service dogs are still enriching lives, like the Cooper’s family pet, who also helped inspire Emily’s work as a trainer.

Tarzan and and his furry friends were flown up from the Guide Dogs’ headquarters in San Rafael, Calif. through an inaugural partnership between Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines. The airline has previously allowed dogs into their airplane hangers and onto select flights to practice boarding, flying in and exiting aircrafts, but this is the first time the airline has transported puppies to be trained.

Representatives from the airline said Alaska’s work with Guide Dogs for the Blind is part of their mission to give people access to travel — people like Marlaina Lieburg.

“I’m so humbled to be here. When I’m around dog trainers, I get very emotional. If it wasn’t for you guys, Nisha and I wouldn’t be possible,” she told the crowd of the impact her service dog, Nisha, has had on her life as a blind woman.

Lieburg has traveled extensively thanks to the nine guide dogs she has had over the last 52 years. Having a service animals means she can go anywhere — whether she’s been there before or not — and feel comfortable doing so.

“For me, a guide dog is like my magic carpet,” the Burien resident said.