TRAFFIC ALERT: Overnight lane closures will take place on outbound Peña (leaving DEN) between the Terminal and Jackson Gap from June 22 –27, from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night for striping. Please use caution and drive safely.
News and Press
DENVER – Oct. 29, 2025 – The Canine Airport Therapy Squad (CATS) at Denver International Airport (DEN) is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. To commemorate the occasion and celebrate a decade of service to the countless passengers who fly to or through DEN, Mayor Mike Johnston has officially proclaimed Oct. 29 as ‘DEN Canine Airport Therapy Squad Day’ for the City and County of Denver. The program has held the Guinness World Records title for ‘Largest Airport Therapy Animal Program’ for nearly four years.
Fittingly launched on Oct. 29, 2015, which is National Cat Day, the DEN CATS program began with 28 animals. Today, 136 animals are actively volunteering, spanning 67 breeds, 30 of which are mixed-breed. DEN’s one and only feline, Xeli, who joined in 2017, basks in the “purr-fect” spotlight among her canine companions. Over the years, approximately 400 animal-owner teams have volunteered their time, contributing more than 3,500 hours in 2025 alone and more than 24,000 hours since its inception. Five of the original members of the DEN CATS team remain active in the program today.
“We are thrilled to celebrate a decade with our beloved CATS team,” said DEN CEO Phil Washington. “The program has truly become a point of pride for Denver International Airport. We’ve built a program with a global reputation and a running world record that we plan to keep as long as we can.”
Offering their service not only to the airport but to first responders, healthcare facilities, schools and community centers serving groups of all ages, the impact of the DEN CATS program reaches far and wide – including other airports. Keena, a golden retriever in the program since 2023, and her owner, Valarie Weickmann, also volunteer at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) for half of the year.
Passengers looking for a furry greeting can spot DEN’s therapy animals by looking for their violet plaid “Pet Me” vests. The DEN CATS program schedule is posted daily on the DEN Passenger Events page and posted on DEN’s X page, formerly known as Twitter. Each of the CATS animals has his or her own trading card that includes interesting facts about them including their “pet peeves.” DEN also has an online directory of retired and active therapy animals on the Meet the CATS page.
All animals are registered with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs or Pet Partners and are trained, certified and insured, with the equivalent of one year’s experience in an approved therapy program prior to volunteering at DEN. Individuals interested in joining can find more information on the DEN CATS information page or by emailing [email protected].
Click here for photos of the DEN CATS program. Photo and video credit can be made to Denver International Airport.
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 $47.2 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.
