On Tuesday, groups of therapy animals and their handlers paraded through Terminals A and B at San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) decked out in Halloween costumes. The group of mostly therapy dogs, and one rabbit name Alex the Great, welcomed passengers as they passed various gates receiving lots of smiles, selfies, and pats on the head.
According to their website, The Happy Tails Program, formerly known as SJC’s Therapy Animal Program, began after the tragic events of 9/11. Interfaith Chaplain and Volunteer Kathryn Liebschutz began bringing her Boxer/Great Dane mixed dog Orion, who was trained as a rescue/therapy dog, to the San Jose Mineta International Airport to address the anxieties of travelers and to bring comfort. Orion was the first member of SJC’s Therapy Animal Program and after 22 years of service, the newly named SJC Happy Tails Program has a membership of over 40 animals that includes 43 dogs, 4 cats and one rabbit.
Bochy and fellow therapy dogs parade through San José Mineta International Airport on Halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. The costumed therapy animals and their handlers visited with travelers as part of the airport’s “Happy Tails” therapy animal program. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) Traveler Karen Huyck from Portland, OR., takes a selfie with one of the therapy dogs, Rhyder, at San José Mineta International Airport on Halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. The costumed therapy animals and their handlers visited with travelers as part of the airport’s “Happy Tails” therapy animal program. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) A group of therapy dogs and their handlers parade through San José Mineta International Airport on Halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. The costumed therapy animals and their handlers visited with travelers as part of the airport’s “Happy Tails” therapy animal program. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) Traveler Elizabeth Gillespie of Cincinnati, Ohio, kisses a therapy bunny named Alex the Great at San José Mineta International Airport on Halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. The costumed therapy animals and their handlers visited with travelers as part of the airport’s “Happy Tails” therapy animal program. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) Matilda, a therapy dog, center, reacts to seeing a person dressed as a Care Bear as therapy dogs and their handlers parade through San José Mineta International Airport on Halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. The costumed therapy animals and their handlers visited with travelers as part of the airport’s “Happy Tails” therapy animal program. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) Therapy dogs, Bailey, left, and Baylee, right, greet travelers at San José Mineta International Airport on Halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. The costumed therapy animals and their handlers visited with travelers as part of the airport’s “Happy Tails” therapy animal program. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
