Fun

UPDATE: Airport Therapy Dogs Are Calming Nervous Travelers All Around The World

Written by: Claire Beaudreault

October 16, 2015

**Update: February 25, 2016**

Golden Retrievers Goldie, Sunshine, and Pepe are the three newest resident “Comforting Angels” at Mumbai’s T2 terminal. Their only job is to walk around and pause when it looks like a weary traveler needs an extra “shot of sunshine,” as the NatGeo Traveller puts it.

pepe giving kisses

The pups are also great for small children on long layovers—who wouldn’t welcome some sweet kisses and the chance to give some love to a happy Golden? One little boy, pictured below, was supposedly “fascinated by Pepe,” but wouldn’t come near her. Just a few minutes later she was snoozing in his lap.

pepe and kid

The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport and Animal Angels Foundation, who runs the program, hope to have these three on-duty every day of the week beginning in May 2016.

Right now, you might catch a glimpse or give an ear scratch to these furry bundles of joy from Friday to Sunday, between 7 P.M. and 1 A.M. Don’t forget to thank them for their service! (And by that we mean tail wags.)

H/t NatGeo Traveller, Featured Image via CSIAComforting Angels/Facebook

**Original Story**

I love traveling, but I am debilitatingly terrified of flying. I’m definitely not alone in this fear. Enter the airport therapy dogs! Airports across the country and the world are introducing scaredy-cat travelers to some very special pups.

The PUP (Pups Unstressing Passengers) program at LAX is one such operation. Over 30 different dogs walk one of the world’s busiest airports in their red vests, bringing comfort to travelers and sweetening the travel experience. You can see their bios at the LAX site.

PUP-ColeSlaw-card-1

Cousins Gus and Bailey are a familiar sight at Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City. The fluffbutts are known as the “Berner Brigade,” and love to frolic at the Myriad Botanical Gardens on their days off.

berner-brigade-airport-dogs

Casey, the Goodwill Ambassador at Miami International Airport, is a beloved 7-year-old Golden Retriever who loves swimming…and eating!

miami-dog-airport-casey

The literarily-named Henry James is another California blonde working at the San Jose Mineta Airport in California. The airport was one of the first to employ therapy dogs after 9/11. Henry loves apples and car rides, and always has a big, Golden smile on his furry face.

henry-james-golden

Next time you’re stranded in an airport or mourning your lost luggage, seek out one of these buddies to help chillax!

h/t Travel + Leisure

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Written by: Claire Beaudreault

October 16, 2015

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