The airport can be a stressful place – from checking in to taking off – and everything inbetween.
Denver International Airport’s therapy dogs are there to help calm nervous or agitated passengers. As of Friday, there will be a lot more pups on duty.
DIA is doubling the size of its Canine Airport Therapy Squad – also known as “CATS”.
27 therapy dogs have joined the squad – making the team’s total 53.
These squad members are trained to offer help to nervous passengers.
“The idea of the program is to offer stress relief to passengers and employees that work at the airport,” said Lisa Dittberner, the manager of the volunteer program. “The airport is a very stressful environment and can be a very stressful environment and these dogs offer a sense of calmness to those they encounter”.
There are 26 different breeds of dogs in CATS. Some are purebreds and some are from local animal shelters.
"These dogs – when they walk down the concourse – provide at least a smile to many that pass them and if not they provide the ability to passengers to pet them and love on them,” said Dittberner. “They just provide a sense of calmness during that situation”.
The next time you are traveling through DIA – look out for the “CATS”. They can be spotted wearing blue and black checkered vests.
