Los Angeles International Airport is bringing a furry new program for waiting passengers. The program, called Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUP), brings therapy dogs to the airport to help calm nervous passengers while they wait for their flight.
The dogs will roam the airport with their handlers, going through the gate areas on the departure level of each terminal, where the dogs will visit with passengers waiting for their flights. The dogs can offer comfort, while the handlers provide passengers with any needed airport information.
All volunteers underwent classroom and in-terminal training to learn about the airport and the best ways to assist passengers.
The PUP program was launched last week to honor National Volunteer Week, which is this week, from April 21 to 27.
The dogs will continue assisting nervous passengers even after the end of volunteer week.
"We are pleased to launch the PUP program during and in honor of National Volunteer Week," Gina Marie Lindsey, the Executive Director of Los Angeles World Airports, told ABC. "It's a great opportunity to spread happiness to millions of travelers from all over the world."
"Expect to see the PUP's on a regular basis in terminals at LAX," she added.
The dogs that are participating in the program are registered with Therapy Dogs Inc. of Cheyenne, Wyoming. It is a non-profit organizations that provides comfort and stress relief at hospitals, schools, senior housing and other facilities where the dogs can be of help.
The dogs are a mixture of mutts, Dobermans, Bichon Frises and other breeds. Passengers will be able to identify them by the red vests they wear that read, "Pet Me!"
Similar therapy programs have been launched at other airports throughout the country, including Miami International Airport and the San Jose International Airport. Both programs have been launched within the last few years.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
