Tulsa Airport Therapy Dog Program Turns 3 Years Old

The Tulsa International Airport celebrated its furry employees who comfort travelers. The airport's therapy dog program, The Welcome Waggin'-- turned three on March 29.

Sarah Belle is part of the Welcome Waggin' at the Tulsa International Airport, and her only job is to help travelers who might be stressed. It's a job she's taken seriously since the program started three years ago. The airport said the 27 dogs aren't your average furry friends.

"Not just your typical pets, they've gone a little step further than that and been trained as therapy dogs," said Michelle Evans, Tulsa International Airport.

The dogs are trained to accept all people and love strangers unconditionally. Sarah Belle volunteers with her mom Shirley Johnson, who's a co-founder of the program.

"We watch the stress drain out of people," said Johnson.

For the first time since the pandemic began, they can finally celebrate bringing a ray of sunshine to travelers on their worst days.

"I've prayed with people over illness -- over cancer. I've sat with people as they've talked because they needed someone to talk to," said Johnson.

And also making the good days even better.

"I had one little girl tell me one day, she said, 'We're going to Disneyworld for the first time.' I was like, 'Wow' and she said, 'But it just got better because I got to pet a puppy before I left," said Johnson.

So next time you're flying and things get chaotic, keep your eyes peeled. Because these volunteers say they're looking forward to many more years.

"Anything that we can do to help pass kindness, especially in this climate, I think is extraordinary," said Johnson.