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https://cnycentral.com/news/local/hancock-airports-therapy-dog-program-seeks-to-ease-travelers-stress

Syracuse, N.Y. — If you’re someone who gets stressed when flying the Syracuse airport has a program aimed at helping ease that stress.

The airport’s Pets Easing Travelers (PET) program brings specially-trained pet therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers to Hancock Airport three days a week to greet travelers.

The pet therapy dogs are certified by PAWS of CNY and have been extensively tested for temperament, noise tolerance and, most importantly, their willingness to be hugged by strangers.

PAWS of CNY currently have 7 to 8 teams that participate in the airport’s PET program.

Volunteer Jay Peacock said just seeing his dog Harley puts travelers at ease.

“People love him, there eyes light up when they see him. He loves people, There airport loves having us here. It’s a win-win,” he said.

For more information on how you can volunteer with PAWS of CNY or how you can train your dog to become an airport pet therapy dog, click here.

We hope you’ll enjoy the following article posted by Syracuse Hancock International Airport in regards to our PAWS of CNY PET Program, better known as “Pets Easing Travelers.” This program has done amazing things for Central New York and we are so proud of it!

“SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)- The Syracuse Hancock International Airport is the setting for Paws of Central New York’s PET Program, or pets easing travelers. Judy McManus and her 11-year-old cocker Spaniel Tom are one of the teams who have become a staple at the airport.

The dogs that are part of the PET Program are trained therapy dogs. The goal of the program is to comfort travelers who have to cope with the high stress levels typically associated with air travel.

“One of our first visits, some young girl stopped us and said can I pet your dog,” McManus said. “And we probably spent 10 minutes with her and she was sitting on the floor hugging him and crying because she was so stressed.”

McManus and Tom head from Oswego to the airport every other Thursday. They work their way up from baggage claim and meander through the security line up to the gates.

Even the TSA agents are happy to hold and pet Tom when McManus goes through security, she said. They typically spend about an hour and a half walking through the airport greeting people.

“On a busy day, 150 people, easily, interact with him,” McManus said.

The PET Program currently consists of five dogs that rotate days at the airport. Each of the dogs has to be an experienced therapy dog to qualify for the airport duty.

McManus looks at working with therapy dogs as a way to give back, and Tom has a great personality for it, she said.”

Dogs Bring Therapy to Syracuse Hancock International Airport

Our amazing Therapy Dogs were recognized by one of the facilities we visit frequently, Upstate Cancer Center.

” It’s National Therapy Dog Day and a great time to give a shout-out to the wonderful dogs (and their owners) who visit the Cancer Center! We always look forward to their visits, which bring lots of smiles to our patients & staff. Thank you PAWS of CNY for partnering with us! “

See the post on Facebook