Lilou the pig is the first non-canine member of the airport's Wag Brigade. Photo / San Francisco International Airport
Lilou the pig is the first non-canine member of the airport's Wag Brigade. Photo / San Francisco International Airport
Flying can be stressful for many, but one airport has found a novel way to help travellers cope with it all: a therapy pig named Lilou.
The small, spotted Juliana pig has joined San Francisco International Airport's (SFO) Wag Brigade - the only non-canine member among 22 therapy dogs whowear special "Pet Me!" vests, offering comfort to anyone in the terminals who needs it.
Lilou already has her own Instagram account and can perform a number of tricks to put travellers at ease. USA Today reported she is well versed in ""greeting people with her snout or a wave, twirling and standing up on her back hooves, and playing a toy piano". Like a true performer, she even finishes with a "proper, post-performance bow.
Three members of the Wag Brigade are on duty at any time, but there's no set schedule for Lilou the pig's appearances. An airport spokesman told USA Today he expected her to visit at least once a month - however, she might be in disguise. Lilou's Instagram shows her dressed as a ballerina, a pilot and a wrapped present, among other interesting outfits.
Therapy horse Dakota comforts a friend at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Photo / CVG Airport, Twitter
While more than 30 US airports have therapy animal programs, most teams are dog-only - with some exceptions. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport have brought in miniature therapy horses since May.
