Calgary airport deploys furry friends to ease traveller stress

The Calgary International Airport is puttingtherapy dogs in itspre-boarding areas threedays a week as a way toreduce stress among travellers.

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"They are our pet ambassadors and their first priority is to go where there may be passengers under a little bit of anxietyor stress such as delayed flights or long queuingin lines," saidDiana Segboerwith thePet Access League Society (PALS), which provides the dogs.

"Dogs just bring in puppy love ... when you start petting your dog, that just brings down your blood pressure, brings in all the good pheromones in your body."

There are 39 airports across North America offering similar programs, saidPeggyBlacklock, manager of service quality at the airport.

Jennifer James, who is volunteering the services of hersoft-coated wheaten terrier,Woolly, says many passengers just seem to relax at the sight of a dog.

"You can feel the stress leave their body," she said. "They start hugging them,if they don't mind being licked, Woolly is a lover, so helikes to give a lotof face licks."

James said there areclearly a lot of stressed-out travellers at the airport, judging by the effect on the dogs.

"At the end of a visit, they're exhausted. You can tell that they've really put in some work," she said.

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