Nothing Scary About These Hounds

Airports can be stressful and sometimes downright scary places, from parking and navigating the terminals to getting through security and making sure you didn’t forget your cellphone in the restroom.

But for those traveling through Pittsburgh International Airport on Halloween between 10 a.m. and noon, it was delightful, not frightful.

The PIT PAWS therapy dog team, dispatched in full costume, provided a few tricks and lots of treats for passengers traveling through the airport Wednesday. PIT PAWS (Pups Alleviating Worry and Stress) was created in 2017 for the purpose of providing passengers a warm nuzzle, a comforting pat on the head and a few minutes of relaxation before flying.

The dogs added an extra bit of comfort to a city grieving over the tragic shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, said Bob Ossler, a chaplain with First Baptist Church of Pine Island in Bokeelia, Fla., who flew into Pittsburgh to offer his services at the synagogue.

“I am mentally and physically drained,” Ossler said, “and as I am heading to the concourse, I was pleasantly surprised to see the therapy dogs. They immediately lifted me up. I am a dog lover. As a chaplain, I go around consoling hundreds and hundreds of people. This is a blessing to me.”

Therapy dog teams consist of a certified dog and its handler/owner. The handlers are trained to help with customer service in the terminals by providing directions, solving problems and answering general questions about airport amenities. The dog teams have put in more than 300 hours over the past year and roam the terminal weekly looking to make passengers smile and feel more at ease.

“It was very refreshing to see the smiling faces and