Keena, a certified therapy dog, has become a beloved figure at Denver International Airport (DEN) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) as part of their animal therapy programs.
With her unique red coat that often leads to her being mistaken for an Irish Setter, Keena is more than just a pet; she is a comforting presence for travelers facing the stresses of air travel.
Keena’s owner, Valarie Weickmann, divides her time between Fort Collins, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest, often spending months at a time in each location.
Originally from Colorado and a long-time Seattle resident, Weickmann semi-retired and gradually transitioned to volunteering at airports.
From November through April, they call Colorado home, and from May to October, they find themselves in Washington state, volunteering at both airports.
Weickmann initially trained with Keena to work at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, where she was involved in therapy services, but Keena’s journey took an exciting turn towards airport therapy.
After becoming a registered therapy dog in 2022, she joined the CATS (Canine Airport Therapy Squad) program at DEN at the end of 2023, and by the summer of 2024, she was also a familiar face at SEA.
image source from：portseattle
