Buckle up because we’ve got some pawsome news from San Francisco International Airport. This travel hub has just hired the most adorable team member ever — Duke Ellington Morris, a 14-year-old cat, who’s now part of their therapy animal squad!
You might be wondering, what exactly does a therapy cat do at an airport? Well, Duke’s job is simple, yet oh-so-important: to provide comfort, support, and a hefty dose of feline magic to weary passengers. Whether you’re feeling anxious before take-off or just need a little furry cuddle to brighten your day, Duke is ready to lend an empathetic paw.
According to the airport’s website, the cat has joined the Wag Brigade, which brings trained dogs to the terminals to make passenger travel more enjoyable. After almost a decade of service, the Wag Brigade has expanded to include not only dogs, but also a pig named LiLou, a bunny named Alex, and now Duke.
These animals can be seen moving around the airport sporting ‘Pet Me!’ vests.
While sniffer dogs are commonly seen at airports, the idea of having a therapy cat might raise concerns about allergies for some people. Allergies can indeed be a significant factor to consider when introducing animals into public spaces.
Sniffer dogs are often trained to detect specific scents and substances, and their work is essential for security purposes. However, therapy animals, including cats, serve a different purpose. Their role is to provide emotional support and comfort to individuals, particularly in high-stress environments like airports.
It’s important to be mindful of these allergies and the potential impact on passengers who might be sensitive. That being said, airports take steps to mitigate the risk and accommodate both the presence of therapy cats and the well-being of passengers with allergies — plus, airports are huge!
Unfortunately, Malaysia is yet to embrace the idea of therapy animals in airports. But that doesn’t mean we can’t dream, right? It’s a small change that could make a big difference in the lives of anxious travellers. It would create a more welcoming and stress-free environment, where furry friends roam the terminals, ready to offer comfort and support when we need it most.
Would you want a therapy animal around our local airports? Sound off in the comments!
