Dogs get greater access to roam aboard Washington State Ferries

You may notice more furry travel companions on your next Washington state ferry ride.

A new trial program gives dogs more access to ferries — to the delight of some owners.

For the next six months, Washington State Ferries is piloting an updated pet policy and allowing dogs on leashes in all passenger areas, except food galleys.

The previous pet policy allowed leashed pets to stay in "exterior passenger areas" like sun, shelter, and promenade decks, with the exception of service animals.

The change was welcomed by Bridget Igoe, who was traveling Thursday, Aug. 28 on the passenger ferry Walla Walla from Bainbridge Island to Seattle. Igoe was joined by her two daughters, Helen and Julia, as well as the family's 2-year-old Aussie doodle, Juniper.

As the family stretched their legs, and took turns going to the restroom aboard the ferry, Juniper waited quietly.

“It’s wonderful, because she doesn’t like being in the car, and we would never just leave her in the car," Igoe said. "It enables all of us to come up and enjoy the ferry, and she does a lot better as well."

Smaller dogs like Juniper can sit on their owner’s lap or in a carrier. Bigger dogs will have to settle for the floor.

California resident Heidi Geiger also hopped on the Walla Walla with her dog, Watson.

Geiger said she was unaware of the existing pet policy, and noticed old signage banning pets in the passenger cabins.

Because of Watson's small size and calm demeanor, Geiger planned to hold him in a travel carrier, but was "delighted" to hear about the rule change from an employee.

"I do travel with him all the time, and I can bring him to a lot of places," Geiger said. "I noticed Seattle is very-pro dog too, so I was kind of surprised it would have a policy not allowing dogs [inside] in the first place."

Whether the rule change sticks around permanently is yet to be determined. Officials are encouraging feedback to help decide if the temporary change should be made permanent.

Emma Thordsen and Nicholas Sedney traveled with Sedney's Pomsky, Earl.

Sitting inside the passenger cabin with Earl sitting at her feet, Thordsen noted the role of owners when it comes to taking a pet into a public space.

"You have to be mindful of how your dog interacts with other dogs and people," Thordsen said.

Earl did bark a couple of times during his first trip inside the passenger cabin, but Sedney quickly jumped in to calm the dog.

"This seems like a great thing, as long as the people with the dogs are doing the things that they need to do to keep it working," Sedney said. "Hopefully they do, because I love having my buddy here."

The Washington State Department of Transportation said crew members are allowed to direct pet owners to an outside deck if an animal is misbehaving or due to safety concerns.

The agency said the trial pet policy will get a formal review in February.