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Miami Airport Provides Therapy Dogs For Nervous Passengers


They’re called MIA Volunteer K-9 Ambassadors, and human handlers lead them around to stop for friendly visits with people waiting for flights. Similar programs are operated in Los Angeles, Denver and other airports.

Before you reach out to pet an airport therapy dog or any other strange animal, your travel4seniors.com editor has a story to tell. I’ve had furry pets and many encounters with trained working dogs, and never had a problem … until last year’s Halloween night. While attending a street parade, I approached a woman who said her big canine was in training to be a therapy dog.

I petted him, not realizing he was highly stressed from the loud music and crowds. Suddenly he snapped his jaws on my hand, making a large, deep bite. It resulted in an ambulance ride to the hospital and a dozen stitches to close the wound. Conclusion: Whether in an airport or anywhere else, be aware that even the most domesticated and trained dogs are animals. When they’re suddenly nervous or frightened, the attack instinct can take over with painful results.
Travel Q&A: Don't book with online crook! PDF Print E-mail

Cartoon of thief

Q: I booked online and paid cash for a month’s rent at a “charming 18th Century petite maison” in the Sorbonne area of Paris. When the taxi dropped me off and I rang the bell, the home owner told me angrily that some internet rip-off guys in Morocco were doing this to British tourists all the time. What can I do about it?  Marianne K., London SW GB A: Sorry, but you should not have sent cash for any online booking. The safest way to do it would be through a legitimate London travel agency or name-brand online agency. They have the means of blocking out phony travel offers.

Paying cash in advance is always a risk, not only of being cheated, but also you have no recourse if anything goes wrong with your trip, hotel quality and other factors. Use your credit card, because if you have a problem, the credit card company is an effective ally when you make a complaint.

Finally, when you book travel that involves significant cost, invest another ten percent in trip insurance. With that protection, no matter what goes wrong, your chances of getting a full refund are the very best.
 
 
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