May 7, 2024
Originally published May 2023; updated May 2024.
If you’re having a rough travel day and need a little PLC (puppy love and care), the SEA Pups are here to make your day better. On National Animal Therapy Day (April 30), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) gives a pat on the back and a “Good dog” to our fave furry volunteers.
Currently there are eight SEA Pup teams and SEA is looking for more. Each SEA Pup works with a human handler and a human volunteer in the airport terminal to give travelers some puppy love, cuddles, and a chance to destress. The pups are at the airport once every two weeks.
Participating pups and their handlers must:
- Complete a training program
- Receive a “complex” rating, which means that the dog can handle a busy and loud facility like SEA Airport and interact with people who are active without needing much supervision
- Be up to date on rabies and DHPP vaccinations
SEA works with Pet Partners, a local non-profit organization that registers and trains therapy animals. Pet Partners was established in 1977 and provided the first comprehensive, standardized training in animal-assisted activities and therapy for volunteers and healthcare professionals. The organization trains and certifies pets of many species — even therapy guinea pigs —and their human handlers and manages more than three million animal visits a year.
When giving love to the SEA Pups, be prepared to follow a gel-pet-gel guideline. Using sanitizer ensures that before and after giving love, you’re helping to prevent the spread of germs.
Meet a few of the SEA Pups and hear from their handlers.
Henry
At SEA we hear from travelers about how much they love therapy animals and how good it makes them feel. One traveler recently wrote this letter about his interaction with Henry at SEA Airport:
“Please pass on my most sincere and appreciated thank you to the team taking care of and bringing Henry the support dog to the airport. Also, I want to let you know how important and impactful having Henry there was and is and should be a permanent fixture. I suffered a TBI (traumatic brain injury) two years ago and get mild to severe PTSD bouts depending on the situation. Last week, mid-February, navigating through the airport and the N gates, I was fighting off a bad PTSD reaction and luckily my wife, who was doing her best to help me saw Henry and took me right over to him. Getting that connection to the peaceful dog and wonderful pet care givers stopped me in my tracks and brought me back to a healthy, calm place. I just knelt there touching Henry’s soft fur and his calm demeanor brought me back.
This means so much to me that I’m fighting back tears of joy and gratitude for this experience as I type this. Please keep Henry and his wonderful pet parents as a permanent part of the airport — they saved me from a dark place. After the interaction I was able to proceed without any more issue. I just kept thinking of the peaceful golden retriever and all was well. Thank you. Bring Henry back.”
Gracie
Handler Joanne shares a few stories about how her therapy dog Gracie helps people every day.
“I like being a team at the airport because I like seeing the transformation that happens to people when they interact with Gracie. People come over to us and they’re a little, confused, agitated, exasperated, tired, or just a little nervous. While they’re petting Gracie and we’re talking about dogs or travel or really anything, you can see the people relax, find their comfort zone, and get a better grasp of themselves. It’s a chance for people to just relax and get grounded. People are delighted to be able to take a trading card with them. These dogs provide a little bit of comfort on the go.
One visit that was particularly memorable for me was when we visited with an elderly gentleman who had come to Seattle for a funeral of a childhood friend of his. The time in Seattle had been very hard, but very good at the same time. He was sad to lose his friend and had such rich memories of being a child in Seattle. He and his friend used to play, and his friend had a yellow lab. When this gentleman saw Gracie, who is also a yellow lab, it warmed his heart to no end. He felt like it was a very good sign, and made him so happy that he had come to Seattle for the service."
Joanne shared another memorable interaction:
“Last summer, we met some aid workers who were going to Ukraine to help with the war. They were going to set up service areas to get basic needs to the people who had been tormented by the war. They were very uncomfortable and nervous about what was ahead. Visiting with Gracie gave them a little break with their anxiety. All four of these people commented how nice it was to see her and get a little puppy love to take with them on the airplane.”
Rain and Fox
Jinna is the animal handler of dogs Rain and Fox and she shared her airport experiences:
“People are so appreciative of being able to interact with a dog while navigating the airport and travel delays! I hear comments like: ‘I was having a really stressful day and waiting five hours for a delayed flight and now my day is so much better!’ Even if a person doesn’t stop to pet the dog, they smile at the presence of a friendly dog at the airport. People of all ages stop and share stories about their dogs while petting Fox. It is so rewarding to help relieve the stress and anxiety of travelers in a busy airport.”
When asked about a memorable interaction, Jinna shared “There are so many interactions — all positive — to choose from. One man said, After spending time with Rain, one man said 'this is the best airport ever!' A man’s wife said to me, 'my husband has PTSD and your dog knew to go to him immediately and help relieve his anxiety.' People often share that their dog has just passed away and it was so healing to spend time with Fox.”
SEA Pups and their human handlers are typically stationed at the Central Terminal, although you may also find them at the N Concourse. Next time you are at SEA be on the lookout for our furry teams and ask their handler for the dog’s trading card! And give them a big “thank you” for bringing cheer to the airport.
