Trudeau Airport is using 'support dogs' to calm nervous flyers' jitters
These dogs are putting the P-E-T into Pierre Elliot Trudeau airport.
The RUF YUL airport has added a team of 30 support dogs who are trained to help calm nervous flyers’ jitters.
Dubbed the “Snuggle Squad,” the dogs and their owners move around the airport’s domestic and international terminals looking for people who may need some puppy love, licks and cuddles before heading on a flight.
The Snuggle Squad are trained not to approach passengers and instead wait for soon-to-be flyers to make the first contact. Anyone who is allergic or afraid of dogs, therefore, doesn’t add another layer of stress before taking to the air.
Flyers who are comfortable, can pet, feed and get the Snuggle Squad to do tricks.
Centre d’Adoption d’Animaux de Compagnie du Québec/Facebook
The calming canine presence, who’ve been on site since October, are organized by the Companion Animal Adoption Centres Of Québec (CAACQ) and select dogs who are approved by the airport’s security to join the Squad.
Pet owners and their pups who would like to join the program are encouraged to volunteer. Once a training course is complete, the dogs would have to visit the airport to make sure they’re comfortable in a noisy setting before going through Trudeau’s security protocol.
Next time you fly, don’t hesitate to walk up and interact with the Snuggle Squad, just look for a purple bandana and wagging tails.
Follow Channels and Categories