Therapy pups land at Pearson
Nine dogs aim to help travellers relieve stress
Travellers at Pearson International were greeted with some pupply love Wednesday as Canada’s largest airport introduced therapy dogs to help soothe stressed travellers.
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority says 15 teams from the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program will be roaming terminals 1 and 3 at Pearson on a weekly rotation in an effort to relieve travellers’ tensions.
“We know that travelling can be stressful, and a friendly visit with a therapy dog can make all the difference in the world to anxious travellers,” Scott Collier, vice-president of customer and terminal services at Toron- to Pearson, said in a statement.
“Seeing people smile when they meet and experience the unconditional love of a therapy dog in our terminals is both comforting and rewarding.”
Nine therapy dogs — Bella, Cheyenne, Daisey, Ghost, Hunter, Kahlua, Ringo Starr, Sofia and Zorie — made their debut alongside their handlers Wednesday to celebrate the launch of the program at the airport.
Airports across the country have been letting their dogs out for several years. In 2014, the Edmonton International Airport led the way as the first in Canada to spread some pet cheer with passengers.
Fort McMurray followed in April 2015 while Calgary unveiled its “pawsitive” airport therapy dog program the next year. Since then, Vancouver, Halifax, Regina, Saskatoon, Thunder Bay and Winnipeg have all let their dogs out — and have been met with woofing success.
The therapy dogs and their handlers are the latest additions to Pearsons airport’s Wel- come Team, a group of more than 300 volunteers who greet passengers, answer questions and help direct passengers throughout the terminals.
The dogs can be recognized by their red and white St. John Ambulance bandanas, and will be accompanied by handlers wearing blue Pearson airport vests.
The agency says passengers are welcome to approach the dogs and pet them while travelling through the airport.