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Los Angeles Airport Deploys Support Dogs After Vegas Shooting

LAX responds to 'senseless shooting' with very good dogs.
The PUP dogs in action in 2013
LAX
The PUP dogs in action in 2013

America is once again mourning a devastating gun massacre, this time in Las Vegas where more than 50 are dead, but at least one organisation is trying to fight hate with love -- puppy love.

Los Angeles International Airport, perhaps better known as LAX, has been running its novel Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUP) program for some time now. LAX says the scheme is about "providing stress relief and comfort to passengers through interaction with pets."

"Therapy dogs and handlers roam the departures levels in the gate areas of each terminal, visiting passengers awaiting flights and providing comfort, as well as airport information. The program educates and informs passengers about the LAX projects and construction related traffic impacts," stated the LAX website.

In the wake of Monday's shooting, LAX -- just a short one-hour flight from Las Vegas -- responded.

LAX said extra dogs would be roaming the airport, giving comfort and smiles to passengers left shaken by the events unfolding in Vegas.

People were stoked.

The PUP dogs and their handlers are volunteers, putting in a few shifts a week at the airport to hang out with passengers.

"Each volunteer goes through LAX classroom and in-terminal training to learn about LAX and how to assist passengers. They also complete a walk-through with their dog to make sure there is a good fit for both volunteer and dog," LAX said.

"The dogs and handlers in red vests with the PUP logo, are an excellent addition to the customer service team. Passengers love seeing warm, wet noses and wagging tails that create a friendly, "PAWSitive" experience at LAX!"

For more footage of the very good airport dogs, check out this video of the PUPs in action.

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