Travel days can feel heavy even in the best of circumstances. Airports are loud, rushed, and rarely a place where you expect to feel anything other than stressed. When I found myself in Albany, New York, just days after my dad passed away before Christmas, that heaviness followed me straight into the terminal.
Like a lot of people moving through grief, I was on autopilot. Get to the gate, watch the clock, keep going. On what felt like an especially difficult travel day, I came across something unexpected, something that made everything feel just a little lighter. It also made me think about how meaningful something like this could be at the Billings airport.
As I moved through Albany International Airport, I noticed a group of certified therapy dogs and their handlers spending time in the terminal, offering calm and connection to travelers who needed it. It was the airport’s comfort dog program, and I didn’t realize how much I needed it until I sat down. For a few quiet minutes, I forgot about boarding times and the weight I was carrying. I just sat with a dog, took a breath, and felt a sense of peace I truly did not expect to find in an airport.
Meeting Travelers Exactly Where They Are
At Albany International Airport, there’s a volunteer-run therapy dog program called the Canine Crew. Certified dogs and their handlers spend time inside the terminal simply being present. There’s no agenda and no rush, just comfort…