In the wake of the tragic events of 9/11, airports across the United States faced unprecedented challenges in ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers. Travelers all over the U.S. needed more than just logistical support, they needed comfort, understanding and a way to cope with the heightened stress of air travel.
Recognizing these needs, SJC’s Interfaith Chaplain Volunteer Kathryn Liebschutz, who owned a trained rescue/therapy Boxer/Great Dane mix dog named Orion, asked for and was granted permission to bring Orion to SJC to help alleviate travelers’ anxieties about flying again. Orion brought comfort to both passengers and employees and became the first member of SJC’s Therapy Animal Program known up until now as the K9 Crew.
Over the years, the SJC Therapy Animals Program has evolved one paw at a time and has inspired more than 90 airports across the country to integrate therapy animals into their customer experience programs. In March 2017, SJC took another groundbreaking step in the world of airport therapy animals by introducing the first-ever therapy cat, Mokey. Today we have 48 active therapy animals including 43 dogs, four cats and one rabbit.
After 22 years of volunteer service, we are proud to announce the renaming of our Therapy Animals program from the K9 Crew to "SJC Happy Tails."
The name, "Happy Tails,” has a meaning that is four-fold. It represents the animals, airplane tails, a pun on the travel phrase “Happy Trails” and the countless uplifting tales shared by our passengers who have interacted with the animals.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our human volunteers, the animal handlers, who come from all over the Bay Area – some driving over 40 miles each way – to join our program and help support our passengers.
As we move forward, we remain committed to providing a warm and welcoming airport experience, where happy-tailed animals will continue to make happy passengers.
SJC currently sources certified therapy animals from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and Love on a Leash. If you and your furry family member want to join the SJC Happy Tails family, please visit https://www.flysanjose.com/volunteer#therapy-animal-volunteers for source group contact information. If your organization is interested in becoming a source group, please email info@sjc.org.