You read that right – the Canine Airport Therapy Squad, better known around DEN as CATS, is a group of four-legged friends and their handlers who roam the walkways of our airport spreading cheer and easing fears for travelers. Here’s everything you need to know about your future furry besties:
👀 Spot them in the wild. Just like Waldo’s iconic stripes, look for a human-dog duo in matching plaid purple vests. The plaid design was custom-made for DEN’s volunteer program to stand out in a crowd. You’ll have no problem confusing CATS with service animals or pets – the canine vests read in large white letters: PET ME! (But please, don’t pet the humans).
🥎 Fetch their schedules on X. Follow @DENairport on X (formerly Twitter) for daily updates on the teams who will be visiting, where they’ll be and the times to catch them. You can also check flydenver.com/events for a list of upcoming visits before your flight.
Though you’ll see CATS throughout DEN on any given day of the week, your best chances of a meet-cute are between 9-11 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
🐞 They’re certified love bugs. Each CATS member is a certified therapy animal with their handler(s) and must be registered through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs or Pet Partners. They are fully insured and trained for their work, and a team at DEN is dedicated to helping them learn the ropes specific to the airport. Once they’re ready for duty, passengers are strongly encouraged to hug, pet and take pictures with the good boys and girls.
🤩 Celebrity-status came in 2021. It’s not bragging if it’s true, right? As of December 2021, the DEN CATS hold the Guinness Book of World Records for largest therapy animal program at an airport. With 140-plus active CATS members and applications continually flowing in, DEN has held the title ever since!
🐾Don’t forget to ask for a “paw-tograph.” No, they can’t actually sign their names, but you CAN ask for one of their trading cards! With adorable headshots on front and fun facts like favorite activities, favorite treats and pet peeves on the back, the cards are souvenirs worth keeping. Big events, like the Puppy Love Parade in February, Star Wars Day in May and the CATS Anniversary in October, are a great way to get your collection started.
🐈 There’s a token feline. Because if the vest fits – wear it! Xeli joined the squad in 2017 and can hold her own in a group of canines. Her favorite activity is making new friends, so volunteering at DEN is right up her alley.
➕ Applications are open year-round. Have a friendly, well-behaved pet that would be willing to share their love with passengers? There are no weight or breed restrictions, but all CATS members must be privately owned and at least two years old. Handlers are also required to participate in customer service training, field evaluations and airport security background checks.
So, keep your eyes peeled next time you’re traveling through DEN, and you just might walk away with a smile! Get to know each of the CATS members (both active and retired) or start your application to join the squad at flydenver.com/CATS.