US airports ease Thanksgiving rush with friendly dogs

US airports trotted out friendly companion dogs to calm jittery travelers and offered perks including free parking on Wednesday as throngs of people rushed toward their Thanksgiving holiday celebrations. Up to 2.8m people per day, about 600,000 more than average, are expected to fly in the US over the coming six days, making it a busy period for travel, according to the trade group Airlines for America. Airports will not be the only crowded places as some 48.7m people, the most since 2007, are expected to travel 50 miles or farther for the holiday, according to motor club AAA. It said the 1.9% increase from last year's level reflected an improving economy and low gasoline prices. To relieve passengers' anxiety, airports in cities including Chicago and Memphis, Tennessee, have deployed therapy dogs to wander around terminals with their owners to help ease stress among travellers. At Chicago's O'Hare and Midway International Airports, the dogs in service this week include a Jack Russell Terrier mix and a German Shepherd mix provided by a local charitable group, Canine Therapy Corps. "Just the entertainment of a dog distracting your attention for a least a little while helps to improve your experience at the airport," said Ann Davidson, the group's operations manager.<br/>