NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, in collaboration with Canine Companions® and Peanuts®, the Goodyear Blimp will transport a group of eight-week-old puppies from Smyrna, Tennessee, to Nashville for the first time in its iconic 100-year history.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio, USA. (PRNewsFoto/Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company)
This inaugural flight is an exciting new mode of transportation for these future service dogs, who usually travel by plane to their volunteer puppy raisers throughout the country.
The pups who are destined for service dog careers will be joined in the air by arguably the most famous canine of them all: Snoopy.
"As a longtime supporter of Canine Companions, I'm always thrilled to see a new troop of puppies begin their training to become vital members of the dog service community," said Jeannie Schulz, Canine Companions National Board Member and Board Chair Emeritus and widow of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz. "And of course, we all know of Sparky's affection for dogs! I'm particularly delighted that Snoopy gets to join in the fun this time around – all while riding the Goodyear Blimp!"
Paying homage to the enduring relationship between Canine Companions and Peanuts, the puppies are aptly named Marcie, Peppermint Patty and Snoopy.
The heartwarming journey with this special cast of characters takes place in a year when all three brands are celebrating historic milestones: 100 years of the Goodyear Blimp, 75 years of Peanuts and 50 years of Canine Companions.
"We're honored to celebrate our milestone anniversaries with this one-of-a-kind opportunity," said Canine Companions CEO Paige Mazzoni. "For 50 years, we've been transforming the lives of people with disabilities through expertly trained service dogs, and partnering with beloved brands like Peanuts and Goodyear brings that mission to life in a joyful way. Peanuts reminds us that 'Happiness is a warm puppy,' and now, thanks to Goodyear, these future service dogs get a sky-high sendoff aboard an iconic blimp – a perfect start to a lifetime of service."
The Goodyear Blimp's appearance in the Music City with Snoopy and Canine Companions is also part of its centennial year celebrations where airships will fly to more than 100 cities across North America and Europe.
After the blimp touches down in Nashville, the puppies will be delivered to Canine Companions volunteer puppy raisers who will begin their service dog training. These volunteers will provide safe and loving homes, ensuring the puppies receive a healthy diet and regular veterinary care.
They will attend obedience classes and expose the pups to various socialization opportunities to help them become well-adjusted service dogs. Over 16 to 18 months, the puppy raisers will teach basic tasks and manners, laying the foundation for professional service dog training. This early upbringing is crucial in preparing Canine Companions' future service dogs for their roles in enhancing the independence of children, adults and veterans with disabilities.
About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Goodyear (NASDAQ: GT) is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 68,000 people and manufactures its products in 53 facilities in 20 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.
About Canine Companions National nonprofit Canine Companions is celebrating 50 years of empowering people with disabilities to live with greater independence — and it all started with a service dog named Abdul. Canine Companions invented the concept of the modern service dog in 1975 and has since placed more than 8,200 expertly trained dogs at no cost to clients, entirely supported by donations. Today, as America's first and largest provider of service dogs, Canine Companions leverages seven locations across the country to serve adults, children and veterans with disabilities as well as professionals working in health care, law enforcement and educational settings in all 50 states. Donate and learn more at canine.org.
About Peanuts The characters of Peanuts and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide, which is 41% owned by WildBrain Ltd., 39% owned by Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and 20% owned by the family of Charles M. Schulz, who first introduced the world to Peanuts in 1950, when the comic strip debuted in seven newspapers. Since then, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang have made an indelible mark on popular culture. In addition to enjoying beloved Peanuts shows and specials on Apple TV+, fans of all ages celebrate the Peanuts brand worldwide through thousands of consumer products, as well as amusement park attractions, cultural events, social media, and comic strips available in all formats, from traditional to digital. In 2018, Peanuts partnered with NASA on a multi-year Space Act Agreement designed to inspire a passion for space exploration and STEM among the next generation of students.
