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Therapy Animals

SJC Happy Tails Logo

San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) was the first airport to offer therapy dogs in the terminals, starting shortly after 9/11 to help calm passengers’ nerves before flying.

SJC’s Interfaith Chaplain Volunteer Kathryn Liebschutz owned a trained rescue/therapy Boxer/Great Dane mix dog named Orion. She asked for permission to bring Orion to SJC to alleviate travelers’ anxieties about taking to the skies again. Orion was an immediate hit with passengers and employees alike as he and Kathryn spent long hours during that week offering comfort.

Today, the Airport's program, SJC Happy Tails, has 46 active and certified therapy animals including 44 dogs, one cat and one rabbit. If and when you see one of our therapy animals, feel free to share your photos with us on social media by using #sjchappytails.

Please note that therapy animal services are not available every day, cannot be scheduled in advance and are not guaranteed to be at SJC during your visit. The animal handlers (owners) are all volunteers and bring their therapy animals to the Airport in their spare time – most often during evenings and weekends.

Alex The Great
Alex The Great

Flemish Giant Hare
Azariah
Azariah

French Mastiff
Babo
Babo

Cockapoo
Baci
Baci

Australian Labradoodle
Bailey A.
Bailey A.

Schnoodle (Miniature Schnauzer/Poodle mix)
Bailey G.
Bailey G.

Lab
Baylee
Baylee

Australian Labradoodle
Birdie
Birdie

Sheepadoodle
Bochy
Bochy

French Bulldog
Cider
Cider

Corgi/Pomeranian
Crystal
Crystal

Golden Retriever
Emi
Emi

Maltese Shih Tzu Mix
Finley
Finley

English Cream Golden Retriever
Gibson
Gibson

Standard Poodle
Ivy
Ivy

Labrador Retriever
Jersey
Jersey

Labradoodle
Keiko
Keiko

Goldendoodle
Kinsey
Kinsey

Chocolate Labrador Retriever
Laverne
Laverne

Labrador Retriever
Lazlo
Lazlo

Labrador Retriever
Leesie
Leesie

Chihuahua/Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Leia
Leia

Chow Chow
Lucy
Lucy

Golden Retriever
Lyla
Lyla

English Cream Golden Retriever
Mari
Mari

German Shepard
Marley
Marley

Goldendoodle
Mason
Mason

Mini Australian Labradoodle
Matilda
Matilda

Bearded Collie
Mia
Mia

Golden Retriever
Misty
Misty

English Cream Golden Retriever
Moët
Moët

Rhodesian Ridgeback
Oakley
Oakley

Standard Poodle
Paddington
Paddington

Chow Chow
Piko
Piko

Labradoodle
Rhyder
Rhyder

Standard Poodle
Ruby
Ruby

French Bulldog
Shadow
Shadow

Labrador Retriever
Shiloh
Shiloh

English Golden Retriever, Cream
Simba
Simba

Orange Tabby
Spirit
Spirit

Standard Poodle
Sunny
Sunny

English Golden Retriever
Theo
Theo

Swedish Vallhund
Theodore
Theodore

Maltipoo
Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy

Golden Retriever
Trevor
Trevor

Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Winnie
Winnie

German Shorthaired Pointer