The Vancouver International Airport has introduced miniature ponies as part of its Less Airport Stress Initiative.
The airport introduced the program in 2017 to “reduce travel anxiety” and “enhance well-being” among passengers at the airport. It has also featured therapy dogs, according to the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) website.
YVR said it was the first airport in North America to offer such a passenger care program.
Eric Pateman, chief experience officer with the Vancouver Airport Authority, said they had experienced success with dogs from St. John’s Ambulance.
“We recognize the powerful impact therapy animals can have on people’s well-being, so ponies are a natural evolution of the program,” Pateman told The Epoch Times in an email….