DOGS CAN DO BUSINESS IN YVR

Pooch potty area gets tails wagging

Officials at Vancouver airport think they’ve bagged a big one with the grand opening of an indoor relief room for service dogs.

The official launch of the pet-only indoor washroom at YVR on Wednesday came amid howls of approval by a few lucky hounds that got to mark their territory ahead of the pack.

According to Reg Krake, director of customer care at the airport, the room for guide dogs to do their business is the first of its kind in Canada.

“This is one more way there are no barriers for people with disabilities who travel with a service dog,” he said at the opening of the doggie-dump station. “This is the first of its kind and it is possible other airports will follow,” he said.

The new dog room at the airport is in the U.S. terminal and allows people with disabilities who have a dog with them on a trip to find a spot for Fido without having to go through security as they wait for another flight. And having the new pet facility as you come off the plane was welcome news for people who rely on guide dogs when they travel.

Bruce Gilmour is blind and his golden retriever, Marley, is with him when he goes out. “The stress is taken off my dog,” he said of his ability to take his service dog to the relief room right after landing. “It will now make travelling so much easier.”

Brad McCannell is vice-president of access inclusion with the Rick Hansen Foundation. He said the biggest hassle for people like himself who are in wheelchairs and have a service dog is going through security to find a place for their dog to pinch one.

“All of a sudden he has to go and you have to go through security twice,” he said. “It is critically important to have an area postsecurity.”

The move to a more pet-friendly airport comes as many hotels and

This is one more way there are no barriers for people with disabilities who travel with a service dog.

businesses look at capitalizing on the booming pet market.

The new pet area at YVR is part of a bigger trend to make life easier for guide and service dogs, points out William Thornton, CEO of B.C. Guide Dog Services.

“With a guide dog you want a place to take the dog where you don’t have to leave the building and go through security,” said Thornton. “It is a great initiative. There are washrooms for people and there should be washrooms for dogs.

MARK VAN MANEN Chip, a nine-year-old golden retriever, and his owner Brad McCannell check out the newly opened pet-relief facility in Vancouver airport’s departure area Wednesday. He called the service “critically important.”