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PITTSTON TWP. — Ali, an Anatolian Shepherd, and his pals showed up for the news conference Friday introducing them as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport’s newest team of volunteers.

Ali and Hickory, Ivan, Buddy, Nico and Gloria are all members of the AVP Red TAILS pet therapy program aimed at assisting travelers to lower their stress levels while at the airport.

The word “TAILS” is an acronym for Therapy Animals Integrating Less Stress.

The introduction of the new team came after the May meeting of the Bi-County Airport Board where it was announced by Executive Director Carl Beardsley that April set a new all-time one month record for passengers flying out of the airport.

Beardsley said passenger enplanements for the month of April 2019 increased 21.6 percent to 26,546 from 21,826 in April 2018. When compared directly with the month of April 2018, the increase is mainly attributed to American’s new service to Chicago, Beardsley noted.

As good as that news was, the Red TAILS drew all the attention. The dogs, all sporting their new red vests that identify them as members of the program, were getting to know each other and they all wagged their tails as several people and media outlets took their pictures.

“Some of our best friends are here with us today to help us,” Beardsley said of the therapy dogs.

The AVP TAILS Program includes representation of the non-profit groups Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Pleasure of Your Company Therapy Dogs, and Therapy Dogs International.

Eric McKitish, the airport’s marketing/communications director, said traveling can sometimes create stress and anxiety at airports. He said the AVP TAILS Program is an opportunity to provide an overall enhanced customer experience, providing stress relief and comfort to passengers through interaction with pets.

“It’s a great customer service,” Beardsley said. “So many people love to see dogs. It makes them happy. It lowers their stress if they can just sit down and pet a dog.”

Therapy dogs and handlers (or teams) will roam the pre- and post-security areas of the Joseph M. McDade Terminal Building, visiting travelers awaiting flights and providing comfort, as well as airport information, while producing a less stressful environment.

“Initially twelve teams will volunteer at AVP, but the numbers are continuing to grow,” McKitish said.

• Program volunteers wishing to apply must have at least three months experience working with a recognized dog therapy organization.

• The dogs must be privately owned and be at least one year old.

• All Program volunteers and dogs must be registered with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Pleasure of Your Company Therapy Dogs, Inc., or Therapy Dogs International.

• AVP is looking for volunteers who are at least 14 years of age and are willing to volunteer a minimum of one (1) one-to-two hour shift per month.

• Individuals should be able to pass a background check, as well as create positive relations with travelers/guests.

Beardsley said passengers “should love seeing warm, wet noses and wagging tails that will create a friendly, PAWSitive experience” at AVP.

“It ‘s been a proven fact over the years that therapy dogs help calm people and relax people,” said Mary Schriebmaier, who is a tester/observer for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

As for the potential effect on asthmatics and patrons allergic to dog dander, McKitish explained, “The dog handlers are very aware of the people around them. They are watching the people’s body language. If people appear like they don’t want to be approached, they don’t approach them. If people appear to look up at them and look at the dog and look interested, they walk toward them and they will ask, ‘Do you want to pet my dog ?’”

Currently , there are approximately 60 airports across the country that have therapy dog programs.

Using dogs for therapeutic purposes has been around for decades. In 1982, the American Veterinary Medical Association officially recognized the human-animal bond, after a study with hundreds of clinical trials that confirmed that petting an animal can lessen anxiety, McKitish noted.

In other business, the airport board:

• Promoted Mark Misencik from the position of custodian to maintenance.

• Honored John Brundage of Moscow for his 1,500-plus volunteer hours as part of the airport’s Ambassador Program.

• Honored McKitish for his 30-plus years of employment at the airport.

Carl Beardsley, executive director at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Friday introduces the new team of volunteers — the AVP Red TAILS — Therapy Animals Integrating Less Stress — to assist travelers who have stress or anxiety. Beardsley said the program is an opportunity to provide an overall enhanced customer experience to passengers through interaction with pets.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_Aiport-Dogs.jpg.optimal.jpgCarl Beardsley, executive director at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Friday introduces the new team of volunteers — the AVP Red TAILS — Therapy Animals Integrating Less Stress — to assist travelers who have stress or anxiety. Beardsley said the program is an opportunity to provide an overall enhanced customer experience to passengers through interaction with pets. Bill O’Boyle | Times Leader

By Bill O’Boyle

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Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.