The Cure for Fraying Nerves at Airports: Puppy Love?

Sounds like a plan to me:

Some people recommend a stiff drink to combat anxiety about flying. Officials at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) think they have a better solution: friendly dogs. 

Launched this week at LAX, the Pets Unstressing Passengers -- or "PUP" program -- aims to have tails wagging in various terminals at the airport in an effort to create a less stressful environment for travelers. 

"It’s a great opportunity to spread happiness to millions of travelers from all over the world," said Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey in a release. "Expect to see the PUP’s on a regular basis in Terminals at LAX.” 

The release hastened to add that all dogs and their handlers have undergone both classroom and "in-terminal" training. The dogs, a mixture of mutts, Dobermans, Bichon frises and other breeds, will be identified by red vests that read "Pet Me!" according to the Los Angeles Times. 

Similar programs have launched at the Miami International Airport and the San Jose International Airport in the last several years, undoubtedly bringing a more welcome form of "pat down" than those currently offered by the Transportation Security Administration.

Too bad Tamerlan Tsarnaev's brand of religion didn't allow him to kick back with a golden retriever and a glass of merlot. He might have been a whole lot calmer.


Feeling "excluded/marginalized"? Get a puppy!