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C.O.P.E. Therapy Dog Program

The primary function of the C.O.P.E. (Canines Offering Passengers Encouragement) program is to give the opportunity for therapy dogs and their handlers to provide an overall enhanced customer experience, providing stress relief and comfort to passengers.

Therapy dogs and their handlers roam the Main Terminal and Departure Building visiting with passengers awaiting flights by providing comfort as well as airport information.

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Become a C.O.P.E. Handler

Have interest in joining the program at ABE? Here’s what will be required of you and your therapy dog:

  • Must be a member of Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Proof of membership is required.
  • Therapy Dog must be certified with the Canine Good Citizen Training. Proof of certificate is required.
  • Dogs must have 1 year working experience at a recognized therapy dog organization and must be at least 2 years of age.

Step 1:

Complete “C.O.P.E. Therapy Dog Program” Application.

Step 2:

Once your application is received, you will be notified to complete the badging application process and will be fingerprinted for a background check.

Step 3:

Once your fingerprints are cleared, you will then be required to take a computer test for badging purposes (SIDA).  A training session will be scheduled.

Step 4:

At the training session and orientation, you will be provided with an Airport ID badge, a C.O.P.E. Polo Shirt, name badge and your dog will get a C.O.P.E bandanna as part of the uniform.  You will be given a training manual and will go on a tour of the Airport facility to see how your therapy dog interacts with our passengers.

C.O.P.E. Handler Job Description

The Handler (along with their Therapy Dog):

  • Agrees to volunteer a minimum of 45 minutes at least once a month and will keep an accurate record of hours of work and participate in training programs and meetings, relevant to the C.O.P.E. Therapy Dog Program.
  • Will meet and greet passengers at the gates so the public may easily approach you and your dog by de-stressing and calming the passengers as well as providing airport information and wayfinding.
  • Agrees to be reliable and prompt. When unable to fulfill duties, handler will notify the coordinator as early as possible.
  • Must be sincere in the offer of service and take commitment seriously.
  • Will be friendly and courteous, and display a professional attitude and appearance.
  • Will strictly adhere to security regulations and abide by policies of the Authority.
  • Will address any comments/suggestions/complaints from passengers by notifying the coordinator.

Ready to Join?

Handler Information

Name(Required)
Address(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Please indicate the days of the week you are available:(Required)
Dog handlers will be asked to traverse the terminal buildings to greet incoming flights and providing information to deplaning passengers. Do you foresee any difficulty in performing these duties?(Required)
Shirt style:(Required)
The Airport Authority will provide a polo shirt for each Dog Handler. Please indicate your shirt size:(Required)
Are you a citizen of the United States?(Required)
Do you speak a foreign language(s)?(Required)
Have you ever been arrested for a crime?(Required)
Are you older than 18 with a valid driver's license?(Required)

Pet Information

Gender:(Required)
Dogs must be certified through Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Is your therapy dog certified through Alliance?(Required)
Drop files here or
Max. file size: 49 MB.
    Dogs must be certified with the Canine Good Citizen Training. Is your dog certified with this training?
    Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 49 MB.
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