Passengers at Montreal-Trudeau have been enjoying a new entertaining and soothing experience at the airport since the beginning of October called the ‘Pet squad at YUL’. A squad composed of 30 dogs has been formed by Aeroports de Montreal (ADM) to roam around the terminal, offering moments of companionship to travellers who can admire the animals and speak with their handlers. Called YUL Pet
Squad, this initiative is greatly appreciated by passengers who may be somewhat nervous or anxious in an airport environment.
Initially implemented as a pilot project in collaboration with the Companion Animal Adoption Centres of Quebec (caacQ), the squad is now an integral part of Montreal-Trudeau’s efforts to improve the passenger experience.
• The Pet squad at YUL is currently present in the international and domestic zones of the airport terminal.
• Volunteers let passengers approach the dog, but never go to them in case they have allergies or a phobia.
• The squad’s name is a nod to the canine unit managed by the Airport Patrol, known as the Canine Squad.
• The caacQ coordinates and selects the dog handlers, ensuring that they meet ADM’s security criteria.
• Pet owners/guardians are performing this activity on a volunteer
• Each volunteer has completed a two-hour training course and visited the site with their dog to assess its comfort level in an airport
Aeroports de Montreal can be proud of its Pet Squad. This pilot project was very positive for everyone involved and the reactions from both passengers and employees showed just how much the presence of a dog can change things. We are very happy to be able to make this initiative a permanent one, said Johanne Tasse, founder and general manager of the Companion Animal Adoption Centres of Quebec.
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 Aeroports de Montreal.
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