Dogs soothe nerves at PHX
PHOENIX Travelers frazzled by long lines and delays, anxious about flying or simply missing their mutts have a new ally at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: therapy dogs.
Last week, trained therapy dogs started roaming Terminal 4 with their owners under a pilot program modeled after popular pet therapy programs at airports across the country and in Canada.
The Navigator Buddies program, staffed by volunteers and their certified therapy dogs, is an offshoot of Sky Harbor’s 17-yearold Navigator volunteer program.
Instead of purple jackets, Navigator Buddies will wear purple vests. The animals’ vests will say “pet me” so travelers, airport workers and visitors know they can approach them, unlike police or TSA dogs.
Misty Cisneros-Contreras, Sky Harbor’s customer service manager, said the airport hopes the animals make passengers’ trips a little less taxing. The airport already is dog friendly, with pet parks and pet relief areas.
“We’re really just hoping to create a positive experience for our travelers,” she said. “We understand the airport is a unique place that sometimes does provide a stressful situation.”
The canines represent a variety of breeds, from a poodle mix to an English sheepdog. Teams will roam all areas of the terminal, from baggage claim and ticketing to gates beyond security.