We have all experienced the anxiety of navigating a new airport environment. For a child, this anxiety can quickly become overwhelming, especially when the child requires special needs related to a disorder.   

And so, in 2018, the YUL Pet Squad was born. Composed of volunteers from the Companion Animal Adoption Centres of Québec (CaacQ) and about 30 dogs, the squad’s objectives are to offer moments of complicity and soothing to travellers, especially children, and to reduce their apprehensions about their departure. Often considered as the best friends of humans, dogs have recognized and proven therapeutic virtues. 

In 2022, a pilot project has been set up to accompany children with special needs – from the moment they arrive at YUL until they board the plane. As one mom who observed the benefits of the squad on her son Zack during a recent trip shares, fear quickly gave way to confidence in the presence of the dog and the environment became much less intimidating. With a firm grip on the dog’s leash, Zack, absorbed in his new task, was no longer anxious about outside stimuli and even walked with a proud and confident stride! 

Having been a great success, this pilot project will be transformed into a permanent initiative, with 25 accompaniments already in the pipeline for 2023!

We warmly thank the CaacQ volunteers, whose squad is now an integral part of the measures proposed at YUL to improve the passenger experience and offer a balm to their anxiety.