Rear Thorax Airbag Question

[maisiedays]

Hello,
We are about to buy a 2007 VW Jetta, and we need to decide if we want rear thorax airbags.
Here's our sticking point. I have a service dog which means she goes with me everywhere I go. She is always in our backseat sitting next to the rear driver side door.
What I need to know is how does the rear thorax airbag deploy? I don't want it to injure her, but if it can save her I want to get it.
We were told by the dealer that it does not inflate like the other airbags. he said it inflated horizontally, and parallel with the door. So, basically he is saying it inflates from the back of the car towards the front of the car.
Does anyone have any more information about this for me? I can't seem to find any technical data about it on the internet. I need to know if there is any burn danger for her, or impact danger for her.
Thank you for your time,
Kathleen

[wondering1]

I don't know but it is part of a multi-chamber airbag. Here is an example picture: http://www.kia.com.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=24209

[twokidstwodogs]

New VW side impact airbags meet the voluntary technical working group standards for out of position occupants. That means that they have been tested and shown to be safe for a passenger out of proper seat position (e.g., leaning against the door, etc.) I believe that they used child dummies in the testing, which would be more or less the same weight as a dog. (I'm not positive about that.) Given all that, I would imagine that it would not injure your dog and might even benefit her, especially if you can harness her in that seating position.

Have you called VW about your situation? Can't hurt to ask them, though you may not get an answer.