Traveling during the holidays is always an incredibly stressful time. Not only is there the pressure of needing to see everyone on your list, but you’re also worrying about your house and whether or not the pipes will freeze over, Christmas gifts, your family – and everyone else who is out traveling at the same time as you.
For travelers going through San Francisco, California, however, there might be some hope for reprieve.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has been employing sweet, obedient dogs, cats, and other animals into their “Wag Brigade,” an Animal Assisted Therapy program. This program, which launched in 2013, brings “tactilely satisfying animals” into SFO to help lower the stress of high-strung travelers.
Their newest member? LiLou, a Juliana breed pig, who has already made quite the name for herself on social media, and elsewhere throughout the city for her calming abilities.
She has an incredibly sweet personality, enjoys dressing up in costumes and painting her nails, and performs tricks for her audience.
Dr. Jennifer Henley, SF SPCA Animal Assisted Therapy manager, is incredibly proud of LiLou. She’s the first pig in their program at SFO and even now, “It's wonderful to witness the surprise and delight that LiLou brings to people during therapy visits."
If you’re in SFO this holiday season at all, keep an eye out for LiLou and her colleagues – all of whom will be dressed in blue vests that read “Pet Me!” – to encourage anyone who needs a little comfort to seek it out.
