Close Menu
Awesome Inventions
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    Awesome Inventions
    Sunday, June 22
    • Arts & Creative
    • Architecture & Design
    • DIY & Gardening
    • Products & Technology
    • Latest Posts
    • More Topics
      • Animals
      • Food & Drink
      • Funny
      • Health & Beauty
      • Parenting
      • People
      • Travel
      • Video
    Awesome Inventions
    Home » Animals » San Francisco International Airport Introduced A “Wag Brigade” Which Consists Of 22 Dogs And A Pig
    Animals

    San Francisco International Airport Introduced A “Wag Brigade” Which Consists Of 22 Dogs And A Pig

    airport wag brigade
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Reddit LinkedIn

    Trips to the airport can be stressful at times. That’s especially true when you have to deal with a delayed flight or, worse, a canceled flight. Luckily, more airports are now employing therapy dogs to help ease anxious and irate passengers. And among these airports is the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with its very own Wag Brigade.

    The program is a collaboration between SFO and San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA). Launched in December 2013, the program initially started with just six dogs. Now, the special airport squad consists of 22 adorable dogs, including one lovable pig named LiLou. All members have successfully undergone and passed the Animal Assisted Therapy Program.

     

    San Francisco International Airport has its own Wag Brigade that passengers can interact with

    Wag Brigade at San Francisco International Airport Consisting of Certified Therapy Dogs
    SFO Wag Brigade

     

    Airport Passenger Petting a Dog Member of the Wag Brigade
    SFO Wag Brigade

     

    Airport Passengers Petting a Dog Member of the Wag Brigade
    SFO Wag Brigade

    According to the program’s manager, Jennifer Kazarian, the SFO started looking into employing therapy dogs after seeing its growing popularity among other airports. As a matter of fact, airport therapy dogs have already been around since the day after the 9/11 attacks. And their main goal was to help passengers de-stress and entertain them at the same time. True enough, Kazarian further stressed on these animals’ therapeutic benefits.

    “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.”

     

    It’s a special airport therapy animal squad which consists of 22 adorable dogs and one lovable pig

    Four Dog Members of Wag Brigade at San Francisco International Airport
    SFO Wag Brigade

     

    Pig Member of Wag Brigade Named LiLou
    SFO Wag Brigade

     

    Airport Passengers Playing with a Dog Member of the Wag Brigade
    SFO Wag Brigade

    However, it’s not entirely easy being a part of the airport’s therapy animal troop. Kazarian revealed that all dogs have to pass the Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC). In addition, being a graduate of the SF SPCA’s Animal Assisted Interaction Program is also a requirement. On top of that, they must also have at least six months of “successful therapy experience working with other organizations.” After complying with all these requirements, that’s the time they can audition for the program.

     

    “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.”

     

    Each member has its own unique charm that passengers find hard to resist

    Wag Brigade Dog Member Named Jagger Being Kissed by a Lady
    SFO Wag Brigade

     

    Lady Petting a Dog Member of the Wag Brigade
    SFO Wag Brigade

    While passengers can’t help but gush over the 22 dog members, LiLou the Pig is definitely a scene-stealer too! In fact, she’s the first-ever certified therapy pig under the Animal Assisted Therapy Program. In addition to that, she’s also the world’s first-ever airport therapy pig. This lovable pig has surely got a lot of tricks up her sleeves.

     

    LiLou the Pig is among the crowd’s favorites

    Two Girls Petting a Pig Member of the Wag Brigade
    SFO Wag Brigade

    Aside from being hypoallergenic, she’s on par with her canine comrades when it comes to performing tricks. The crowd simply loves it when she plays her toy piano using her snout and hooves. And by the way, she loves rocking some gorgeous red nails too! So, it’s not at all surprising that’s she’s among the crowd’s favorites.

    All members, including LiLou, are personal pets. So, when they’re not on duty, they spend some quality time with their humans too. Just like any other pets, they enjoy taking a stroll along the park and playing fetch with their handlers.

    Man in Matching Superman Shirt with a Wag Brigade Dog Member
    SFO Wag Brigade

     

    Lady Hugging a Dog Member of the Wag Brigade
    SFO Wag Brigade

    Meanwhile, some choose to take on additional volunteer shifts in schools, hospitals and nursing homes. And since most of them are from San Francisco, some members also take part in SF SPCA’s Puppy Dog Tales Reading Programs.

     

    People expressed their full support for airport therapy animals

    Gloria Kishen Facebook Comment

     

    Shawn Hannah Facebook Comment

     

    Nancy Mack Busch Facebook Comment

     

    Gloria Rigney Facebook Comment

     

    Don Tutor Facebook Comment

     

    Dawn M. Laughlin Facebook Comment

     

    Cynthia Lee-Fernandez Facebook Comment

     

    Beverley Pawulski Facebook Comment

     

    Betty Innella Facebook Comment

     

    Valerie Newell Facebook Comment

    Sources: San Francisco International Airport | SFO Wag Brigade | San Francisco SPCA

    This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more.
    airport dogs San Francisco service dogs
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Reddit LinkedIn
    Previous ArticleThis Exercise Bike Has A Built-In Washing Machine So You Can Cycle Your Laundry Clean
    Next Article Tostitos Has An Avocado Salsa And People Love It

    Related Posts

    A Dog Bunk Bed Is A Stylish Way To Save Space In Smaller Homes

    A Video Has Gone Viral Showing Homeless Man Throwing A Birthday Party For His Dogs

    Meet Skippy – The “Oldest Dog In Ireland” At 26-Years-Old

    Twitter Account “We Rate Dogs” Posts Photos Of People’s Dogs And They’re Just The Best

    Professor Asked Her Students To Send Photos Of Their Dogs Doing Class Work And It Didn’t Disappoint

    Meet ‘Kiko’ – The Adorable Dog That Poses For Photos In The Strangest Way

    Artist Mark Jenkins Put Realistic Mannequins In Strange Positions Across Different Cities To Grab People’s Attention

    Art & Creative

    American street artist Mark Jenkins creates sculptural art installations and his creations are something you’ve…

    Crochet Hanging Sloth Plant Holder

    Products & Technology

    Do you constantly find yourself stressed by the hustle and bustle of city life? If…

    The World’s Longest Glass Bridge Opens In China And It Will Terrify Those Scared Of Heights

    Uncategorized

    If you dare to walk across the new see-through bridge in China's Siniuzhai Geopark, take…

    13 Of The Stupidest Questions Customers Have Ever Asked – Part 2

    Uncategorized

    If you’ve come straight here from the first part of this post, you will…

    © All Rights Reserved - Awesome Inventions
    • Awesome Inventions
    • Privacy Policy
    • FAQ
    • Advertising / Promotions
    • About Us
    • Contact Us

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.