LAX CELEBRATES PETS UNSTRESSING PASSENGERS PROGRAM 10TH ANNIVERSARY WITH PUP PARADE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
For Immediate Release
May 10, 2023
Contact:
LAX Public Relations
(424) 646-5260
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(Los Angeles) Today, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) celebrated the 10th anniversary of the world-famous Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUPs) program at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with a pup parade and special giveaways for departing passengers.
"The LAX PUPs are wonderful ambassadors for our airport as each year they welcome millions of guests and help ease the travel experience with their calm and friendly demeanor,” said Michael Christensen, Chief of Operations and Maintenance, LAWA. “We are proud of the program’s legacy and influence on similar airport therapy dog programs, and we thank all of the dogs and handlers who have volunteered over the years to make the program a success."
The celebration took place in Terminal 1 in partnership with Southwest Airlines whose representatives provided commemorative giveaways for passengers. Then, in true Hollywood style, more than a dozen dogs paraded down the red carpet with their handlers who stopped for interviews and photos by the pup-arazzi. Afterwards, the dogs greeted guests in the gate area, posing for more pictures and doing what they do best, spreading smiles and joy to LAX passengers.
The LAX PUPs program is a division of LAX Guest Services and began in April 2013 to enhance the passenger experience at the airport. The world-renowned program has served as a model for more than 90 airports which have started similar programs nationally and internationally.
Ten years ago, the program launched with 30 therapy dogs. To date, the program has grown to 80 canine participants and handlers who volunteer their time to meet and greet passengers in every LAX terminal and help relieve some of the stress and anxiety that is often associated with flying.
"There is nothing better than seeing our passengers take a moment during their busy travels to stop and pet one of our therapy dogs,” said Heidi Huebner, LAX PUPs Program Director. “We are grateful to Southwest Airlines for helping us recognize and the benefits of this program, and for helping us celebrate our tenth anniversary in a memorable way."
Dogs of all sizes and breeds are welcome to apply to join the program as long as the animals and handlers meet the program’s requirements, including serving at least one year with a recognized pet therapy organization. All the dogs are privately owned, and the majority come from local shelters or rescue groups.
For more information about the PUPs program, including an overview and volunteer application, visit our website.
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LAX, the sixth-busiest airport in the world serving nearly 66 million guests in 2022, is owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a proprietary, revenue-generating department of the City of Los Angeles that also governs Van Nuys Airport (VNY). As the international gateway to the Southern California region, LAX and its partners are dedicated to meeting global airport standards for customer satisfaction, safety, regional economic leadership, organizational performance and sustainability.
To better serve the millions of domestic and international guests that travel through LAX each year, the airport is undergoing a multi-billion-dollar capital improvement program to modernize its entire campus. Initiatives underway include an Automated People Mover, a Consolidated Rental Car Facility and two projects that will each add over one million square feet to the airport's existing property: Terminal 9 and Concourse 0. For more information about LAX, its transformation and its environmental, social and local workforce commitments, please visit flylax.com. Follow LAX on X (formally Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.