These 9 Adorable Airport Therapy Animals Will Calm Your Nerves
If you’re a pet parent, you know the only thing that feels better than being able to take your beloved four-legged friend on the road with you — and lots of hotels will accommodate you these days — is to see his or her fuzzy face upon your return. But when your own pets can’t be with you, there are plenty of airports that understand the therapeutic nature of a quick pet on the head of a friendly pup — or, say, pig. Here are 9 adorable airport therapy animals that you might encounter while traveling.
1. San Jose International Airport
The airport therapy animal concept started gaining traction in America following the events of 9/11, with California’s San Jose International Airport (SJC) leading the charge. It was an airport pastor who kicked the program off when she brought her own dog to work with her to help calm travelers’ frayed nerves, and it’s only grown from there. Kyra Hubis, a retired nurse who runs the program, works with a team of volunteers to walk pups like Gracie (below) through the airport terminals to offer travelers the chance for a friendly pet.
2. Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport
Rather than simply wait and hope that a therapy pooch passes you by, passengers can go right to where the dogs are at Minnesota’s Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP). On October 1, 2015, Airport Foundation MSP — an organization that works to bring cultural activities to the airport’s terminals — debuted its Animal Ambassadors program, where a team of trained therapy dogs help calm frazzled passengers either before or after a flight.
“Just as people soften with the smile of a stranger, dogs can lighten a heavy mood,” writes the organization on its website. “Research shows that positive interactions with animals increase endorphins, oxytocin, prolactin and dopamine, the hormones associated with blood pressure regulation, pain relief, stress relief and joy.” And let's face it: the chance to take an adorable dog selfie doesn’t hurt either.
3. Charlotte Douglas International Airport
The CLT Canine Crew made its four-legged debut at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in 2015 with a lineup of 15 dogs who greet passengers seven days a week. “We wanted a way to create a sense of place,” Lauri Golden, CLT’s manager of customer engagement — who has the pleasure of overseeing the all-volunteer crew of professional therapy dogs — told The Bark in 2016. “Our airport is a hub for American Airlines; 70 percent of traffic is connections, so the passengers just see the facility, not the city.”
Something tells us that one look at a little guy like McGrady — a deaf Australian Shepherd who understands hand signals — and you'll be planning a return trip to Charlotte (or at least its airport) in the future.
4. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
It only makes sense that “America’s Friendliest Airport” would want to employ a team of friendly pups to make that long layover fly by. In September, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) announced its Navigator Buddies program, which offers visitors the chance to rub the bellies and scratch behind the ears of a talented team of pooches.
“The mission at Sky Harbor is to be America’s Friendliest Airport and deliver world-class customer service every day,” Phoenix mayor Greg Stanton said when announcing the program. “Our new Navigator Buddies will provide an even friendlier and furrier way to help people who have questions and reduce their stress levels as they travel.”
5. San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco is one of the pet-friendliest cities in the US, so it's no surprise that last December — three years after debuting its Wag Brigade of therapy dogs — San Francisco International Airport (SFO) introduced a new member to the team: LiLou, the world’s first therapy pig. And the skills she brings to her role as an airport ambassador are impressive: she can wave, shake, twirl and stand up on her back legs — and she does it all with a smile.
6. Los Angeles International Airport
Given LA's reputation as a trendsetter, it’s hardly surprising Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) was one of the first airports in America to embrace the therapy animal concept. Its Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUP) program, which launched in 2013 with 30 teams of certified therapy dogs and handlers, now boasts a crew of more than 50 members.
“The dogs bring strangers together,” PUP director Heidi Heubner told The Bark. “We’re often afraid to talk, or are on our devices, but with the dogs, people are sharing stories and photos of their own dogs, talking about where they’re going. I never get tired of watching them. Sometimes my face hurts from smiling so much, watching them in action and listening to what the passengers are saying.”
7. Denver International Airport
It was only a matter of time, really. In what might now be seen as a bit of foreshadowing, Denver International Airport (DEN) launched its own therapy dog program in 2015: Canine Airport Therapy Squad, or CATS. In September, the airport welcomed its first non-canine member — a cat named Xeli (pronounced Zeelee), who spends a few hours each day hanging out on her cat tree and bidding travelers bon voyage.
“We’re really excited to have [Xeli],” airport spokeswoman Daria Serna told The Denver Post. “We know there are a lot of people who love cats just as much as people who love dogs. It will be great have her on the concourse visiting people and making people smile. She loves to meet people.”
8. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Feeling anxious before a flight is common. Getting to play with a miniature horse in order to ease that anxiety is not. But thanks to a few of the adorable residents of Hamilton, Ohio’s Seven Oaks Farm, travelers making their way through Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) can spend some time bonding with some scaled-down equines.
9. Gerald R. Ford International Airport
At Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), the Gentle Fur in Action program works with West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc. to station teams of certified therapy dogs and their handlers throughout the airport. With canines at the ready in the waiting area, baggage claim, concourses and gates, both arriving and departing passengers have a chance for a cuddly encounter. (They also make a great distraction for kids on-the-go.)
Featured image courtesy of Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.