NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – Charleston International Airport’s Paws for Takeoff Dog Therapy Program celebrates a year of providing ‘paw’fect service to travelers.
Every Thursday and Sunday, playful, tail-wagging canines and their owners can be seen greeting passengers and guests and providing a special way to help alleviate the stress that is so common in an airport environment.
“The program has been well received by both the traveling public and employees here at CHS, says Debra Wood, CHS Guest Services Specialist II and dog therapy program coordinator. Employees tell us Thursday and Sunday are the best days for them here at the airport.”
The airport currently has 18 active volunteers and their canines through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, a non-profit organization whose main goal to provide the best therapy dogs for people in hospitals, hospice, airports, schools, and libraries. The organization also provides education on animal therapy.
“Flying these days can be a bit stressful–but travelers now have the opportunity to ‘paws’ and meet one of the therapy dog team members at CHS,” said Elliott Summey, CEO of Charleston International Airport. “The dogs create a gathering, an audience, which creates its own community as people talk to each other, sharing their own stories.”
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