Airports can be stressful places. Traffic, crowds, security checkpoints, and flight disruptions can all contribute to increased tension and anxiety among travelers.
Now, one North American airport has an unconventional solution for bringing a dose of calm back to its terminals: miniature therapy horses.
Canada’s Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has launched a new trial program that introduces two specially trained miniature horses, Magic and Tinkerbell, into the hub’s concourses to provide comfort to passengers.
The two miniature ponies, who are 3 and 17 years old, respectively, are joining YVR’s Less Airport Stress Initiative for the summer. The airport’s initiative began bringing ambassador dogs into the terminals in 2023. Over the last couple of years, the dogs have successfully spent 1,500 hours reducing traveler anxiety and improving passenger well-being, according to the airport.
Throughout the summer, Magic and Tinkerbell will visit the Vancouver terminals from Green Acres Therapy Horses, a local organization specializing in equine-assisted activities to promote well-being. The mini horse duo has extensive training and experience working in crowded environments, including schools, malls, and senior care facilities.
The concept of airports deploying therapy animals in their terminals is becoming more widespread, even some of the more unconventional furry friends. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has used its “wag brigade” to calm travelers since 2013. Today, the program has a team of 27 dogs—and one trained, hypoallergenic pig named Lilou—that roam the passenger concourses dispensing emotional support. Likewise, Portland International Airport made headlines in 2024 when it began bringing therapy llamas and alpacas into its terminals to ease fliers’ stress levels.
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