Promising Directions - Georgia

Dog Parks Are Proliferating at U.S. Airports

Dog parks are proliferating at U.S. airports. Atlanta Hartsfield [airport] installed an off-leash dog park last month, featuring benches and bags for pet waste. The 1,000-square-foot facility is part of the ground transportation center on the western end of the main terminal.

Los Angeles International has added three "animal relief stations" near its terminals, bringing the total to five. The facilities are aimed at assisting travelers with disabilities who are accompanied by guide dogs, says Larry Rolon of Los Angeles World Airports. Rolon says revisions to the Air Carrier Access Act require service animal relief areas to be installed at all U.S. airports.

Note: This information is an excerpt from the article, Airport Check-in: Fliers May Get Help; Atlanta Lets the Dogs Out, which appeared in USA Today (December 14, 2009).