The Charlottetown Airport has partnered with the St. John Ambulance to launch a therapy dog visitation program at the airport. The program will see volunteer dog handlers and their trained pooches roaming the airport visiting passengers, visitors and staff with the intention of relieving stress, entertaining people and putting smiles on faces.
The program will run every Wednesday from 10:30am – 11:30am with dog handler Pamela Smith and her golden retriever Bella. The airport is hoping to add more volunteers to the program over the coming months.
“We know that airports can be a stressful place so our hope with this program is that it provides a warm and friendly atmosphere for passengers and in turn help to ease the stress and anxiety many often feel when travelling,” says Vanessa Smith, Manager, Marketing & Communications at the Charlottetown Airport Authority.
The St. John Ambulance therapy dog program started in June 1992, as a pilot program in Perterborough, Ontario. Today, nearly 3,000 therapy dog teams reach tens of thousands annually.
“This newst therapy dog program at the airport on PEI adds to the other volunteer opportunities that positively impact our community. Our program aims to calm travelers and also gives our volunteers another opportunity to be of service. We are very pleased to partner with the Airport Authority,” said Steven D. Gaetz, CEO St. John Ambulance.
To learn more about the St. John Ambulance therapy dog program or to volunteer, visit https://www.sjatherapydog.ca.