Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is adding a fairytale touch with its latest "mane" attraction designed to make travelling less stressful.
Two miniature ponies, Magic and Tinkerbell from Green Acres Therapy Horses in Delta, are joining YVR's Less Airport Stress Initiative (LASI), an animal therapy program, for a trial period.
YVR is the first airport in Canada, and one of the first in North America, to bring ponies into the terminal.
Eric Pateman, chief experience officer with the Vancouver Airport Authority, said bringing in ponies was a way to expand the LASI program to "bring smiles and cheer to passengers" at the airport.
Currently, the airport has ambassador therapy dogs with St. John's Ambulance Therapy Dog Program making scheduled visits.
"At YVR, we’re always looking for creative ways to bring new solutions and amenities to the travel experience, so when we thought about what’s the next evolution of the LASI program, introducing therapy ponies ... was a great fit," said Pateman.
"And that’s the reaction we’ve seen so far – lots of smiles and positivity, which is exactly what the program aims to achieve."
The airport's LASI program has been a beneficial program not only for passengers but for staff by providing "emotional support and comfort to those experiencing anxiety" at YVR, he added.
Pateman told the Richmond News the trial period is to see whether the miniature ponies are suited to the busy airport environment with lots of people and terminal announcements.
"Deciding whether Magic and Tinkerbell will be a permanent member of LASI is based on feedback from their trainers at Green Acres and reactions from passengers and employees," said Pateman, adding the feedback has been positive so far.
"If all goes well, the plan is to schedule more therapy pony visits as possible with Green Acres this summer."
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