Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport has introduced a pet-dog squad to enhance the air commuting experience for passengers travelling through Québec.
Supplied: Aéroports de Montréal.
Travellers waiting for flights in the airport lounge may notice some rather real-looking doggy ears…
Last week Canadian airport authority Aéroports de Montréal (ADM) issued a media statement detailing the new furry venture. The international airport, commonly referred to as Montréal-Trudeau, has introduced this friendly 30-strong pet squad to help ease the anxiety of passengers who find air travel stressful or terrifying.
According to the statement, the project was piloted in October, in collaboration with the Companion Animal Adoption Centres of Québec (CAACQ) and will now be integrated as a regular feature of the airport’s passenger experience. ‘We are very proud of this initiative, which has already proven to be effective at other airports around the world. Dogs are often seen as a human’s best friend and in an unfamiliar environment, like ours, their presence is truly comforting for passengers,’ said Philippe Rainville, the President and CEO of Aéroports de Montréal.
Montréal-Trudeau already has a canine squad as part of the Airport Patrol’s security unit, but those hounds are employed in a professional capacity. The YUL Pet Squad however, which gets its name from the international airport code, runs on a voluntary basis. The dogs’ handlers are their owners or guardians.
Before admission to this paw-some pet squad is granted, volunteers and handlers need to first meet the airport authority’s security criteria. The volunteers are screened and selected by ADM and then undergo a two-hour training session on-site with the dogs before they are stationed around the airport terminal, where they assist in both domestic and international travel zones.
The dogs and their handlers are identifiable by their vibrant violet uniforms – purple shirts for the volunteers and matching bandana buffs for their canine counterparts. Commuters are welcome to pet and engage the animals. The dogs’ guardians ensure that the dogs don’t wander and bother those who may have allergies, phobias or reservations, but rather wait for travellers to engage with the pooches of their own accord.
‘Aéroports de Montréal can be proud of its Pet Squad. This pilot project was very positive for everyone involved and the reactions from both passengers and employees showed just how much the presence of a dog can change things. We are very happy to be able to make this initiative a permanent one,’ said Johanne Tassé, founder and general manager of the CAACQ, in the media statement.
Perhaps this is the excuse you needed to hop on a plane and meet new fluffy friends in Québec?
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Featured image supplied by Aéroports de Montréal
