Therapeutic "Dogs of DFW" Debut at Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport

"For many, flying can be an uneasy experience," said Ken Buchanan, executive vice president of Revenue Management at DFW Airport. "The DFW K9 Crew can change that perception. There's nothing more soothing than the presence of a friendly dog, and we hope interacting with these animals will put anxious passengers at ease."

To be eligible for the program, all dogs and handlers must be current members of a local and national pet therapy organization. They are required to volunteer at least two times per month with a one year commitment. Handlers are required to become a DFW Airport Ambassador Volunteer, attend mandatory orientation sessions and have regular evaluations.

"Not only do the dogs bring comfort to passengers waiting for flights, their handlers also are trained to provide an exceptional customer experience by providing directions and answering general questions about Airport amenities and services," Buchanan said.

Each therapy dog has a collectable trading card, distributed by its handler, that includes the dog's name, age, weight and training certifications. Customers can meet the dogs at designated interaction areas in Terminal B, both before and after security. There also will be roaming therapy handlers throughout the terminal.

Customers are encouraged to take photos with the therapy dogs and share on social media platforms with the hashtag #DogsofDFW. Customers who post three photos to social media over a period of time will earn "DFW Terminal Bucks" or DFW-branded items.

DFW Airport joins the ranks of numerous international airports with pet therapy programs. By 2017, DFW plans to expand the DFW K9 Crew program to over 60 handler teams throughout all terminals.

About Dallas Fort Worth International Airport:
Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport warmly welcomes more than 65 million customers along their journey every year, elevating DFW to a status as one of the most frequently visited superhub airports in the world.  DFW Airport customers can choose among 158 domestic and 54 international nonstop destinations worldwide.  DFW is elevating the customer experience with modernized facilities and updated amenities, as well as through a $2.7 billion Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program to renovate its four original terminal buildings.  Centered between its owner cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW Airport also serves as a major economic generator for the North Texas region, producing over $37 billion in economic impact each year by connecting people through business and leisure travel. For more information, visit the DFW website, download the new DFW App for iOS and Android devices, or follow DFW on social media.

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SOURCE DFW International Airport

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