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Feeling down? Stressed out about flying? Is Life giving you lots of lemons and you can’t make lemonade fast enough? Well, if you’re passing through San Francisco International Airport, you might just run into the Wag Brigade: a group of 22 fluffy and adorable dogs (+ 1 precious airport pet pig named LiLou) who are at your service and ready to melt all your worries away.
The airport partnered up with the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to introduce passengers to dogs that are certified by the Animal Assisted Therapy Program. The adorable animals roam around and help improve everyone’s mood.
Many members of the Wag Brigade have their very own Instagram accounts, so be sure to check out the full list on the SFO website. And be sure to let us know in the comments if you’ve ever encountered emotional support animals at an airport, dear Pandas! Scroll down for Bored Panda’s interviews with Jennifer Kazarian, the manager of the Wag Brigade program, as well as with the SFSPCA.
More info: Fly.SFO.com | Instagram | SFSPCA.com
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Meet the Wag Brigade! It’s made up of 22 dogs and 1 pig who help passengers relax at San Francisco International Airport
Image credits: sfowagbrigade
This is LiLou the therapy pig. She knows a whole bunch of tricks
Image credits: sfowagbrigade
The animals are all certified therapy pets
Image credits: sfowagbrigade
The Wag Brigade program started in December 2013 and ever since then, the doggos have been meeting and greeting everyone who’s feeling a bit down or in need of a pick-me-up.
And LiLou the pig joined the team not too long ago. She’s hypoallergenic (instantly a 10/10 for me), she knows how to do lots of tricks: she can greet you with a wave, stand on her back hooves, and perform with her toy piano! (Obviously, not all at once, though that would be impressive.)
According to Jen, back in 2013, they “had noticed a trend with a few other Airports that had started similar programs and I was asked to take a look at those programs to see if I could create something fun and unique to SFO. The idea for mental health therapy dogs in Airports got started the day after 9/11 when an airport employee at SJC brought his therapy dog into work to ease passenger jitters and anxieties.”
Every doggo has its own unique way of cheering up stressed-out passengers
Image credits: sfowagbrigade
Image credits: sfowagbrigade
Jen told us that being with companion animals helps reduce stress: “Scientific research shows that pets make us happier and healthier. Dogs love making people happy. It’s been proven that petting a dog increases levels of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for making us happy; and decreases levels of cortisol, the hormone responsible for making us feel stressed and anxious.”
We were curious to find out where the animals go and what they do when they’re off duty. “All of the Wag Brigade animals are personal pets and when the animals are off-duty they accompany their human handlers as they go about their day-to-day routines. Most of the animals live in San Francisco and they enjoy fun dog activities like playing fetch at the beach or the park! Some of the smart dogs even pick-up additional volunteer shifts at local hospitals, nursing homes, colleges, and Puppy Dog Tales Reading (PDT) Programs.”
Image credits: sfowagbrigade
Image credits: sfowagbrigade
“Our main goal is to connect with our guests, bring people together, and to provide a memorable Airport experience,” Jen added. “Our Wag Brigade dogs are required to pass a Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC); and all of the animals must graduate from the SF SPCA’s Animal Assisted Interaction program; are required to have at least 6 months to a year of successful therapy experience working with other organizations prior to coming to the Airport to audition for the Wag Brigade.”
She continued: “Potential Wag Brigade teams are evaluated for their temperament, as well as Airport suitability. It is especially important that the animals are good with children. We look for animals with stable temperaments, friendly personalities, impeccable manners, and are very obedient. The animals are like Airport celebrities and they look forward to being loved and petted on here at SFO. It’s a win-win for the animals and our Airport guests!”
LiLou is one of the most popular members of the Wag Brigade
Image credits: sfowagbrigade
Image credits: sfowagbrigade
Meanwhile, Krista Maloney of the SFSPCA told us that the SFO approached them about starting the program when it officially launched in December 2013. “SFO had noticed other airports starting therapy programs and wanted to do something similar.”
Maloney confirmed that animals help reduce stress: “Several studies have shown that interacting with animals can improve mood, decrease stress, lower blood pressure, and possibly increase cardiovascular health.”
“All of the animals in the Wag Brigade are part of the SF SPCA’s Animal Assisted Interactions Program. They are trained and certified therapy animals who are owned. At the end of their Wag Brigade shift, they go home with their guardians. You can learn more about our Animal Assisted Interactions program here.”
Image credits: sfowagbrigade
Image credits: sfowagbrigade
“The reaction from our passengers is really positive,” Jennifer Kazarian, the manager of the program, previously told the media. “When a Wag Brigade animal walks into the terminal, we see people look up from their devices, and they start to interact with each other and they start to interact with the dog, and it puts a smile on everyone’s face.”
According to Kazarian, the pilot program initially had only 6 doggos. But “the engagement was just amazing. So from then on, we were like okay—send more dogs!”
Passengers tend to stress out when their flights are delayed or canceled. That’s the perfect time for the Wag Brigade to rush to the rescue!
Each animal has its own unique way of cheering people up. For instance, Brixton likes rolling on his back and letting others rub his belly. While Jagger likes weaving in and out and in again through people’s legs.
“We often hear people say things like: ‘I miss my dog more than my wife’ or ‘I just got back from a two-week vacation and this is the best part of my trip,'” Kazarian joked about how much passengers enjoy the emotional support animals.
The internet gushed and aww’d when it learned about the Wag Brigade
What do you think ?
Full Name 4 years ago
Bobby, I was thinking about that when I posted, but then I remembered that like you say, animals do exist in airports anyway because people travel with them either in cages or right on the plane as a support animal. People all around in the plane and in the terminals have pets and dander on them. Just don't go near these dogs. I'm quite sure it's voluntary. Also, not many people are THAT allergic. I'd say you are the exception that proves the rule.
Load More Replies...
Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago
Do you think that these wonderful creatures and their humans have any idea that their services also work long distance? I have had a HORRIBLE couple few days and my psyche is just screaming for a break from the stress, worry and pain before I simply give up. I opened up BoredPanda just hoping for a distraction from everything. Then, the first post that caught my eye was the Wag Brigade. I am at a loss for words to express the immediate lift my heart felt when I saw the bully with the chair and the porky with painted nails. As I continued to look into the faces of the others, all I saw was beautiful happiness and love. It's the little things that save lives....
Eirik Johnsbråten 4 years ago
Hang in there. I've been to those dark places and I know it will change. There was a way out even if I didn't see it for years. There will be a way out for you too. Love from Norway. <3
Load More Replies... Full Name 4 years ago
Bobby, I was thinking about that when I posted, but then I remembered that like you say, animals do exist in airports anyway because people travel with them either in cages or right on the plane as a support animal. People all around in the plane and in the terminals have pets and dander on them. Just don't go near these dogs. I'm quite sure it's voluntary. Also, not many people are THAT allergic. I'd say you are the exception that proves the rule.
Load More Replies... Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago
Do you think that these wonderful creatures and their humans have any idea that their services also work long distance? I have had a HORRIBLE couple few days and my psyche is just screaming for a break from the stress, worry and pain before I simply give up. I opened up BoredPanda just hoping for a distraction from everything. Then, the first post that caught my eye was the Wag Brigade. I am at a loss for words to express the immediate lift my heart felt when I saw the bully with the chair and the porky with painted nails. As I continued to look into the faces of the others, all I saw was beautiful happiness and love. It's the little things that save lives....
Eirik Johnsbråten 4 years ago
Hang in there. I've been to those dark places and I know it will change. There was a way out even if I didn't see it for years. There will be a way out for you too. Love from Norway. <3
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