There are few things more reliably stressful than braving the airport during the holiday travel season.
In the hopes of combating some of that stress, United Airlines has organized visits from comfort dogs at its terminals in Chicago's O'Hare airport and Houston's George Bush airport, beginning Saturday.
"I'm glad that our flight isn't delayed, but if it was, this would be so uplifting," one passenger told ABC13 in Houston. "They're so sweet!"
Our golden friends will be spreading #HolidaySpirit starting this weekend at ORD and IAH. Stop by and say hello. pic.twitter.com/O4KWjvJnLH— United (@united) December 19, 2014
Spreading some #HolidaySpirit at IAH Houston with @united and this little guy Moe #FlyerFriendly #pettherapy pic.twitter.com/MxtgJBeM2s— Elizabeth Ginter (@elizabethginter) December 20, 2014
LCC @K9ComfortDogs partner with United to Comfort travelers pic.twitter.com/KeLYZjncQi— SLC (@CubfanSLC) December 21, 2014
Having dogs greet flyers is not limited to the holidays. In Los Angeles, for example, the Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUP) program has been running for more than a year. In Florida, FLL AmbassaDogs has about a dozen dogs that greet passengers.
Since dogs make great therapy animals, they're a natural fit for airports.
Comfort dogs at #OHare = best flight ever. Great marketing @united #HolidaySpirit #AirBud #CarryOn pic.twitter.com/bBMTb1D2bw— Kernooches (@kernooches) December 21, 2014
S/O to @united for bringing a bunch of golden retrievers to Chicago O'Hare and fulfilling my wildest dreams pic.twitter.com/7qwK0TmCYy— Haley Mathews (@HaleyMathews) December 22, 2014
United planned to continue dog visits to the airports in Chicago and Houston through Wednesday.
LCC K9 Comfort Dogs provided the dogs in Chicago, while Therapy Dogs Incorporated visited Houston.