pet travel

Airports are stressful places. So pet this dog.

San Antonio Airport _ Pups and Planes Program dogs wear blue bandanas

27 airports – so far – have organized therapy dog programs on site to help passengers and employees deal with the stress of modern day travel.

The trend began back in 2001 at Mineta San Jose International Airport and now Los Angeles International Airport, Miami International Airport, San Francisco International Airport and many others have teams of volunteer handlers and their dogs who visit with passengers each day.

My At the Airport column on USA TODAY this month features a handful of these programs – and a dozen of the dogs, but here’s a preview/bonus profile from San Antonio International Airport, where the program is called Pups and Planes.

SAT Airport officials launched the program in October of 2013 with 5 pups, in anticipation of last year’s busy holiday travel season and now consider the furry, four-legged volunteers an essential part of the airport customer service team.

There are currently 13 dogs in the program and they are usually scheduled to work a two hour shift, walking through terminals. Look for QT the Golden Retriever, Travis the Doberman Pinscher, Gracie the West Highland white terrier and Whiskers a mixed breed pup. You’ll know they’re on duty by the blue kerchief around their neck.

SAT GRACIE

May I take my pony on the plane?

The TSA has a handy “Can I bring my … through the security checkpoint” tool on its website which makes it clear that ice hockey sticks, field hockey sticks and “sports equipment that can be used as a bludgeon (such as bats and clubs) is prohibited in the cabin of the plane and must be transported in your checked baggage.”

But what about the stick ponies I spotted being sold in at least three shops at Dallas Love Field?

During my three hours hanging out at DAL earlier this week I didn’t see any small children (or adults) throwing tantrums for being relieved of their ponies at the aircraft doors, so I assume traveling with stick ponies is just fine.

But I’m still scouring the TSA app and will ask for a formal ruling…

Love Field ponies

Miss Spot? Check into a hotel with a loaner pet

Love your pet but can’t take it along with you when you travel? Then consider staying at a hotel that will loan you a dog, a cat or a fish. Here’s a story I put together for CNBC Road Warrior:

Beau and Mavis Fairmont

 

Fluffy pillows might make hotel guests feel welcome, but sometimes face time with a floppy-eared mutt is what a road warrior might be craving.

That’s why the Red Mountain Resort in St. George, Utah, offers the Pound Puppy Hike, a complimentary amenity that matches guests with a puppy or dog from a local shelter for hikes on scenic trails in the area. “We know that busy executives are visiting the property to recharge and disconnect yet stay active and not sit around,” said resort general manager Tracey Welsh.

The Humane Society of the United States estimated in 2012 that there were pets in 62 percent of American households, so in Aspen, Colorado, guests missing their own pets are pointed to the Aspen Animal Shelter, which welcomes short-term volunteers and charges no fee to loan dogs for in-town walks or day-long hikes.

“The outings provide exercise and socialization for the dogs and often lead to successful adoptions,” said Aspen Animal Shelter director Seth Sachson.

Some pet-friendly Aspen hotels, such as The Little Nell and the Mountain House Lodge, waive pet fees that can reach $125 per stay for guests that invite lucky shelter dogs to spend the night. And both The Little Nell and the Hotel Jerome provide shuttle service to and from the shelter, said Sachson.

Friendly “canine ambassadors” greet guests at eight North American Fairmont hotels and many of those dogs can be booked for walks or runs around town. At the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, it is Mavis and Beau, while at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, the concierge has a special appointment book for walks or runs with the very popular Catie and Carly.

In addition to being a bonus for younger guests (and their parents), “the program results in higher guest satisfaction and more personalized guest experiences, while positioning the hotels as unique and distinctive in their respective destinations,” said Hadley Schroll, a spokeswoman for FRHI Hotels & Resorts, which owns the Fairmont brand.

While offering loaner dogs, like loaner sports equipment, may give a hotel a leg up on its competition, “even programs with the best intentions are still objectifying animals” and putting some at risk, said Lisa Marcotte, business development manager for pet insurance provider Trupanion. “Those who have no commitment to an animal are less inclined to care for them properly or keep them from injuring people and damaging property,” she said.

There’s no need to worry about personal injury with Maya, Louie or George, the kitties that will sleep in a guest room for no charge at the Vintage Inn in Yountville, Calif., or with the free loaner goldfish offered through the “Guppy Love” program at Kimpton Hotels.

KIMPTON FISH

The program started in 1997 when the Hotel Monaco Seattle (part of the Kimpton collection) added a goldfish companion to the in-room dining menu. “It was an option at the bottom of the menu where guests could order it for $5 and we would often surprise VIP guests with a goldfish upon arrival as a fun amenity,” said hotel spokeswoman Melanie Blair.

Instead of cashing in on what became a very popular demand, the hotel decided to make the loaner fish amenity complimentary for all guests and, eventually, so did all 61 Kimpton hotels.

And while no fish rental fees are collected, the goldfish seem to be earning their keep.

“While we initially chose the Monaco for its location, and for the wine hour, we now choose it because of the goldfish,” said Liz Phillips, a middle school teacher from Portland, Ore. whose family stays at the Hotel Monaco Seattle each Thanksgiving.

“The first year, we walked into the hotel room to find two fish bowls housing two huge goldfish with a note saying that the fish were named “Bella” and “Gabbie,” the names of our own children. Our kids were thrilled and after that that experience there was no way we could ever stay anywhere else.

Hotels that roll over for pets

Courtesy The Benjamin

Millions of people consider their pets to be part of the family and take their animals with them when they travel.

Hotels have caught on and there are now more than 25,000 “pet-friendly” properties. Some simply put up with you and your pet if you pay a hefty extra fee. Others go all out, offering welcome amenities that might include toys, treats and special services.
For a slide show on MSN Travel, I found some lodgings where pets have a paw-up on people.

Here’s a sampling:

Robes for Rover

Courtesy The Benjamin

At The Benjamin Hotel in New York City, pampered pooches snack on complimentary treats, relax in plush doggie bathrobes, dine from ceramic food and water bowls set in wrought-iron stands and drift off to sleep in specially-designed dog beds, sized small, medium or large.

Good dog: The hotel can arrange for a spa gift basket ($40) filled with lavender-scented doggie bath amenities to be delivered to the room.

Massages for “Material Dogs”

At check-in, dogs at La Quinta Resort & Club in the Palm Springs desert community of La Quinta, CA receive “Material Dog” travel totes with organic pet treats, travel-size bottle of disinfectant and deodorizers, biodegradable waste bags and stainless steel pet tags. Hour-long, in-room relaxation massages for pets and their people are also available.

Good dog: A massage therapist offers instructions on performing pet massage at home.

B&B in the world’s biggest beagle

Fans of kitsch and canines get both at Dog Bark Park in Cottonwood, ID. On site is Toby, a 12-foot tall statue of a beagle, and Sweet Willy, a 30-foot tall, 32-foot long structure that is the World’s Largest Beagle and a bed and breakfast with a sleeping loft in the muzzle and a bathroom beneath the tail.

Good dog: Guests can purchase dog-themed carvings at the on-site gift shop.

Camping Canines



Canine Camp Getaway
hosts dog-centric vacations events in Lake George, NY twice each year. In addition to a dog-friendly swimming pool, camp staff includes dog trainers, veterinarians (traditional and holistic) and a dog nutritionist. Camp activities include “Barks & Crafts” and canine freestyle dancing.

Good dog: In addition to nightly “Yappy Hours,” the dining room has a dog friendly section for those who enjoy dining with their dogs.

(All photos courtesy of these pet-friendly hotels).

More hotels that roll over for pets tomorrow.