Canine Airport Therapy Squad Celebrates Two Years at Denver International Airport

DEN’S Program is Now the Largest Airport Program in the Country

DENVER – Oct. 27, 2017 – Today, Denver International Airport (DEN) celebrated the two-year anniversary of the successful Canine Airport Therapy Squad (CATS). The popular program, initiated in 2015, has more than tripled in size and is now the largest airport program of its kind in the U.S. The program is designed to help relax and delight passengers on their journey through DEN.

“Since its launch two years ago, the CATS program has grown to not only become the largest airport animal therapy program in the country, but it has also become a signature element of the airport’s customer service program that passengers look forward to interacting with on a daily basis,” airport CEO Kim Day said. “The popularity of this program – with our volunteer handlers and passengers, alike – continues to exceed expectations. Now with 95 dogs and one intrepid cat, this program will continue to grow and delight travelers for years to come.”

When the program started two years ago, DEN introduced 28 registered therapy dogs representing 14 breeds, and we have grown to 95 dogs representing 38 breeds as well as one domestic shorthair cat. The top five breeds in the CATS program are the Newfoundland (14), golden retrievers (14), Labrador (7), German Shepherds (6), and Standard Poodle (5). Other newly represented breeds include the great dane, French bulldog, Doberman pinscher, and English mastiff.

All CATS teams work a minimum of 10 hours per quarter. While the dates of visits are flexible, CATS and their handlers average three visits each month and walk the concourses delighting and comforting passengers. Each of the CATS has his or her own trading card that includes interesting facts about them, including their “pet peeves.”

Members of the CATS teams are chosen after an interview and testing process. Each dog/cat is a family pet and must be shown to have a calm, friendly demeanor in public. The animals and their owners are trained, registered and insured by certified therapy organizations. Each CATS team must have therapy experience at another facility before service at DEN.

In addition, all CATS volunteers complete DEN customer service training and field evaluations to ensure the airport’s busy environment is a good fit for both human and animal. Human volunteers go through airport security background checks, fingerprinting, and security testing prior to receiving an airport ID badge.

In addition to being the largest airport animal therapy program, CATS is also among the most fashion-forward programs, with the best dressed therapy pups at any airport in the world. They can be found wearing easily recognizable, blue plaid apparel custom designed by Spyder Active Sports Inc., a Colorado company that has become one of the largest skispecialty brands in the world.

To learn more about each of our CATS, please visit www.flydenver.com/cats. View photos of the event here.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $36 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.

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