Therapy Dogs Comfort Passengers At Tulsa International Airport

Forget about travel anxiety!

Tulsa International Airport has hired a team of employees whose job is to help travelers who might be stressed.

Chance and Watson are certified therapy dogs. The dogs volunteer with their dads at the Tulsa International Airport.

"I am just the guy on the other end of the leash, Watson does all the work," said Alan Napoli, Watson's Dad.

"With him, I bring a lint roller and a drool rag because he sheds and drools," said Bob Trunk, Chance's Dad, laughing.

Their job is crucial, comforting passengers as they wait for their flights.

"We are just here to alleviate the stress of flying," said Trunk.

Sometimes those passengers are kids who are nervous about flying for the first time or babies who need some entertainment, but these pups are there for the adults too.

Watson doesn't stop moving once he starts his airport rounds.

Chance loves to be loved on. He will lean against anyone who reaches out to him, possibly even plopping down to take a nap while you wait for your flight!

"I am retired so I don't have much to do. He is retired so he doesn't have anything to do," said Trunk.

Watson and Chance love attention but their owners said the love they show others is a gift that keeps on giving.

"It is so nice to make people smile when you can see they are not having the best of days," said Napoli.

Life can be a little chaotic and wherever you're flying to, for whatever reason, know there might just be a friendly face waiting for you at the gate.

"We visited a lady who was boarding a flight. Sometime in April she came up to me and said, 'You know, I want to thank you because I was on the way to my father's funeral. I stopped to pet Watson and I just want to thank you for making a tough day a little less painful.' I don't know if it gets any better than that. I really don't," said Napoli.

"If I made your day, if I made you a little happier, we have accomplished our goal!" said Trunk.