Denver Airport’s CATS program claws its way into the Guinness World Records book
The stress-busting dogs — and one cat — that greet passengers at Denver International Airport (DEN) aren’t just cute and cuddly. They’re now officially world record titleholders.
The animals and their handlers are part of DEN’s Canine Airport Therapy Squad (CATS) and the program now has a spot in the Guinness World Records 2023 book. The category: Largest Airport Therapy Animal Program.
In 2021, when Guinness fetched the data for this category, DEN’s CATS program had 87 animals in its animal therapy program — giving it a (furry) leg up on all other airports.
“We are extremely proud of our CATS program and grateful for all the volunteers who donate their time to bring joy to our passengers and employees,” said DEN CEO Phil Washington. “And we look forward to welcoming even more teams as we continue to grow this beloved program.”
How did CATS clinch the title?
About 90 airports around the country have animal therapy programs. And, according to DEN spokeswoman Stephanie Figueroa, Guinness initially reached out to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which hosts the Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUP) program.
LAX and DEN have always gone back and forth for the largest airport animal therapy program, and at one time LAX had 123 teams in the PUP program, said Heide Huebner, director of volunteers and the PUP program at LAX. “But Covid really affected us.”
Some volunteers moved out of state. Some dogs aged out or passed away. And in 2021, when Guinness was looking at numbers, Denver had more teams than LAX. LAX currently has 75 teams, 12 new teams in the onboarding process and interest from others.
“I know we will be neck and neck again with Denver for the largest program,” said Huebner. But in the meantime, “The LAX PUPs send a big congratulations to the Denver CATS program for winning the title for largest program. It feels good that LAX was there to help you start your program and we are very proud of you.”
The competition could remain fierce. DEN’s Figueroa says the airport is always working on growing its program with new volunteer teams and expects to be able to hold onto the Largest Airport Therapy Animal Program title.
Beyond the listing in Guinness World Records 2023, Guinness gave Denver International Airport a certificate noting its world record title. Guinness doesn’t allow those certificates to be copied, so Denver International Airport hasn’t decided yet if it will display the original certificate in the terminal for the public to see. For now, the news of the award is on the CATS page of the Denver International Airport website, which also features photos and information — such as breed, birth date and pet peeves — about each CATS member.
While it is currently the largest airport therapy animal program, Denver’s animal therapy program isn’t the first. That title goes to San Jose International Airport (SJC) in California, which began hosting therapy animals shortly after the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Today, that program has 25 dogs and two cats that visit with passengers in the terminals.
At San Francisco International Airport (SFO), an animal therapy program launched in 2013 and is known as the Wag Brigade. In addition to dogs, the team includes a pig and a rabbit.
DEN airport’s CATS program began on Oct. 29, 2015, on National Cat Day, with 28 members from 14 breeds. The program was put on pause during the pandemic but has since resumed, with teams donating more than 1,250 hours of time so far in 2022.
All CATS members must be registered with a recognized pet therapy association. The program currently includes 84 members representing 33 dog breeds as well as one cat, along with their human handlers.
As with animal therapy programs elsewhere, the CATS program is designed to provide stress relief and delight passengers. In CATS terminology, each pet wearing a plaid “Pet Me” vest just wants to make traveling “a little less ruff.”
“Whether it’s with a lick, a nuzzle or some amusing antics, our four-legged friends have an amazing ability to make us smile — even when we might be feeling stressed or anxious,” said Adam Millward, managing editor of Guinness World Records. “The Canine Airport Therapy Squad at Denver Airport has taken this innate skill and run with it. It’s a pleasure to be able to recognize the hard-working dogs as well as their owners, who selflessly give up their time to brighten the day of thousands of travelers every year.”
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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.