Hamming it up at SFO
LiLou is first swine to join Wag Brigade at airport in S.F.
This has certainly been the year for flying pigs, but the San Francisco International Airport has the first official one.
Although LiLou, a Juliana breed pig, doesn’t actually fly, she does hang around with humans who do. She is the first swine to join the airport’s team of therapy animals and is believed to be the only airport porker in the country. She’s part of the airport’s Wag Brigade, which includes about 300 cats, dogs and rabbits who help make the strains of travel a bit easier.
The brigade was formed in December 2013, and all of the animals are trained by the San Francisco SPCA and certified to be animal assisted therapy (AAT) animals. The pets are carefully selected for their temperament and airport suitability, and they wear vests that read “Pet Me!” to encourage interaction with airport guests.
“Since its launch in 2013, the SFO Wag Brigade has become a favorite amenity among travelers,” Christopher Birch, director of guest experience, said in a news release announcing LiLou’s admission to the team. “With the addition of LiLou, we can look forward to more moments of surprise and delight for guests at our airport.”
LiLou was chosen for her winning personality, and her overall cuteness, which is off the charts. She’ll be greeting travelers in a series of costumes and with perfectly manicured “nails.”
Officials says LiLou loves performing tricks for her audiences, and when not on airport duty, she visits several other facilities in San Francisco, including senior centers and hospitals.