‘A natural fit’: YEG partners with animal rescue for dog adoption event

The Edmonton International Airport (YEG) partnered with the Greater Edmonton Animal Rescue Society on Tuesday to hold an adoption event.

Edmonton International Airport staff know how beneficial a loyal companion can be to your mental health.

That’s why, for the third year, they’ve partnered with the Greater Edmonton Animal Rescue Society (GEARS) to show off adoptable pups and inform travellers about the airport’s Pet Therapy Program.

They call it their Dog Days of Summer event, where arriving passengers will disembark to be met with adorable puppies, all of which are looking for a home.

• Download our app to get Edmonton alerts on your device

“We thought it was a natural fit for us to partner with GEARS … and get that much more exposure both for their organization and for those pets to make sure that they find a home,” said Cindy Barclay, the director of brand engagement with the airport.

Tuesday marked International Dog Day as well as the airport’s 10th anniversary of becoming the first in Canada to offer pet therapy for flyers.

Barclay said the program has been a “great passenger amenity” in reducing travel anxiety.

She noted that since partnering with GEARS for an adoption event, they’ve been able to place 11 dogs in new homes.

GEARS volunteer Aubra Colby said the event has been a great way to raise awareness about animals in need of a foster or forever home in Edmonton.

“[Passengers] are coming off, and it could have been a super hectic flight, or maybe things went terrible in their day, and they come out here, and they see we’ve got dogs that are running around and playing and having fun, and it immediately seems to lift their spirits,” she said.

“It’s just amazing, the effect that animals can have on people.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Brandon Lynch