Airport Experience

[PHOTOS] From Alligators to Pigs, Airport Therapy Animals Make Travelers Smile

November 15, 2019 | Written by Kristina Velan

Dogs have been easing travel anxiety at airports since Mineta San Jose International Airport introduced them after 9/11. An estimated 30 airports across the US now have therapy dogs on duty – there is even a dedicated airport therapy dog Twitter account. In this “fluff” piece, we look at some of the other species that have migrated to airports to give travelers a warm and fuzzy feeling.

LiLou the Pig at SFO

LiLou pig — Image via @lilou_sfpig on Instagram

LiLou, the first known airport therapy pig in the US, joined San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) team of certified pets, the Wag Brigade, in 2016. She often sports costumes and panted nails, and enjoys hogging the limelight by playing her piano.

A five-year-old pig dressed in a pilot's cap and her owner are part of a program that brings trained therapy animals to the airport to cheer up passengers and help with travel anxiety, greeting travelers, posing for selfies and playing on her toy piano. https://t.co/XEw6GJHqnX pic.twitter.com/58k145pJL7

— ABC News (@ABC) November 11, 2019

Stitches the Cat at MSP

No we’re not kitten, there really is a tabico cat at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)! The airport welcomed its first-ever therapy feline via Twitter last Friday. Stitches is 11 years old and has been working as a therapy animal for three years, visiting nursing homes. Her idea of a purr-fect way to relax is watching Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, according to her owner.

Miniature Horses at CVG

Mini therapy horses from Ohio’s Seven Oaks Farm began trotting into Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) in 2016. – and it looks like there here to st-hay! According to Seven Oaks Farm’s Instagram account, the horses visited CVG as recently as August. Lisa Moad, Seven Oaks Farm owner, said it behooves her to bring her mini horses to the airport, as travelers are very grateful. “The passengers love seeing the horses,” she said. “A lot of them thank us for being there at that time because they needed that little bit of support before they get on the plane.”

View this post on Instagram

Wendy and Willie Nelson had a great visit today at CVG 🇺🇸 * * * #ittybittyhorses #horsesofinstagram #miniaturehorses

A post shared by Seven Oaks Farm Therapy Horses (@ittybittyhorses) on Jul 2, 2019 at 11:46am PDT

Baby Alligators at MSY

baby alligator MSY — Image via Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

Baby alligators started welcoming travelers arriving at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in November of last year. Each Friday afternoon, the Audubon Nature Institute brings baby alligators to the baggage claim area to post for selfies with travelers, before saying “see ya later” and continuing on to their final destination.

Miniature Goats at DEN

goat yoga DEN — Image via Denver International Airport on YouTube

Denver International Airport brought a holiday surprise to travelers in 2017 in the form of goat yoga. “We believe there’s so much more to the airport experience than you expect. It should be relaxing, fun and unexpected,” the airport explained. “I feel like I just walked into another world, like I’m not in the airport anymore,” was one traveler’s response.