Crypto has been utilized at the Evansville Regional Airport since August to help assist passengers.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEVV) – It's National Therapy Animal Day, and the Evansville Regional Airport celebrated by recognizing the work of their crew dog Crypto, and his handler Amy Covington.
For more than five years, crypto has been a certified therapy dog. Since last August, he has shared his time with the Evansville Regional Airport by enhancing the experience for any passenger through his loving personality.
All across the country, there is a great need for well-qualified therapy animals.
According to the National Institutes of Health, studies have found that pet therapy significantly helps decrease blood pressure and heart rate.
“There’s always the science behind it. The release of oxytocin for the animal and the humans,” says Cydnie Kieffer, Pet Partners of the Tri-State Regional contact.
In 2023, the Evansville Regional Airport collaborated with pet partners. It is the nation’s leading organization to register volunteer handlers and their companions as therapy animal teams.
“It’s just extremely special because with therapy dogs, especially, they can sense emotion,” says Amy Covington, Crypto’s handler.
Passengers have told Covington that Crypto’s presence is what they look forward to when flying in and out of Evansville.
The duo volunteers periodically throughout the week and on Sundays.
“Whenever we’re here, it happens a lot, where passengers are so excited to see crypto. Just because they’re having to leave their dogs at home, the vets, groomers, or wherever,” says Covington.
Each therapy animal is certified, which means they are evaluated on their ability to safely interact with a wide range of populations effectively.
It utilizes the power of the human-animal bond in professional settings.
“I think it’s making an amazing impact. I am so excited that we have this program here. I’m excited to see who else joins and what joy they can bring to the population that comes through this airport,” says Kieffer.
The hope in having Amy and Crypto’s services is to create more awareness around therapy animals, and hopefully encourage other organizations to implement the same idea.
The airport will be adding a new crew member too. Her name is Kyra and she will be introduced in the coming weeks.
Visit flyevv.com/forevveryone to learn more about EVV Crew Dogs and to download Crypto’s trading cards.
To learn more about Pet Partners of the Tri-State, you can visit here.
