Montreal-Trudeau Airport YUL Pet Squad

According to a 2011 study, airports are “are more stressful than work or moving house.” Though the study in question was a PR-led “survey said” effort done by an insurance company, and so should be taken with a pinch of salt, there is of course some truth in the results - a number of passengers don’t like the airport experience.

So what’s the solution when it comes to calming the more nervous or anxious traveller? One idea airports have hit upon is pets, drawing on the fact that pets can have a calming effect.

At the end of last year, Qantas and Sydney Airport introduced a “pupgrade” scheme, featuring a litter of Tarmaruke puppies, who had been “‘specifically trained for stress relief”

The latest airport to hit on this idea is Montreal-Trudeau Airport, which in November launched its “YUL Pet Squad.”

The squad consists of 30 dogs to roam around the terminal, offering moments of companionship to travellers who can admire the animals and speak with their handlers.

Initially implemented as a pilot project in collaboration with the Companion Animal Adoption Centres of Québec (caacQ), the airport says that the squad is now an integral part of Montréal- Trudeau’s efforts to improve the passenger experience.

“We are very proud of this initiative, which has already proven to be effective at other airports around the world. Dogs are often seen as a human’s best friend and in an unfamiliar environment like ours their presence is truly comforting for passengers,” said Philippe Rainville, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aéroports de Montréal. ■