National Volunteer Week: Victoria, Takoda and Tula

Today we’re celebrating Victoria and her dogs Takoda and Tula who offer emotional support to YYC guests through our Pre-Board Pals program.

Age: It’s just a guess because he’s a rescue dog but we think Takoda is turning 10 this year. 

How long have you been volunteering at YYC?

We’ve been coming to YYC to volunteer for two and a half years, but we’ve been volunteering with PALS for three and a half.

How often do you volunteer?

I volunteer at least twice a week – Thursdays with Takoda, and Saturdays I come with Tula, my black lab (she’s been in the program for year this April). We’re also here almost every other day during the holidays.

Why do you volunteer at YYC?

We volunteer all over the place but the airport is a different reason for both dogs. For Tula, it’s because she loves to walk around and meet people, but Takoda is quite special. He pulls me to people who need help. They’re both great with children. Last week, he pulled me all the way to two girls crying because they missed their flights and we sat with them for 45 minutes.

In terms of the PALS program, YYC visits are different – they’re high volume, exhausting – big dogs handle it well. There is lots of walking and interaction – they need to be able to handle it. Most other PALS visits we just sit there. But here, we’re walking around and they sense where they’re needed.

What’s your favourite experience or story to share from here?

I wish I brought my book, I have so many written down. Last Saturday I was here with Tula, my black lab, and a man came running up to me – older than me. “I just put my black lab down Wednesday,” he told me. Him and his wife both came and hugged Tula and started crying.

I remember when an Asian flight came in, a man came up to me and Takoda but there was a language barrier. I could tell he wanted to touch the dog and I could also tell it was his first time ever petting a dog. He kept slowly approaching but backing out, then giggling.

Another time Takoda led me to a woman who was nervous to fly. She was extremely anxious and sat with Takoda for a long time. She wanted to make sure we wouldn’t leave her. I assured her, “I’m not going to leave you until you’re on your flight.” Afterwards, she wrote me a letter of gratitude.

What are you up to when you’re not volunteering?

I’m always with my dogs, they go everywhere with me. I also have six kids! We’re a bit of an airport family – my husband is a firefighter here and my son just got hired here as well.

Anything else we should know about you?

Both of my PALS dogs are rescues. I found Takoda with a face full of quills. I got Tula from a WestJet flight attendant who knew I was looking for a new dog since my old black lab passed away. She uses her buddy passes to bring rescues back from the reserves. Tula actually had to be dragged through airport when she first arrived, and now she walks terminal with confidence.

National Volunteer Week runs from April 7 – 13. The Calgary Airport Authority wouldn’t be the same without our volunteers. To honour our volunteers during this week, we’re profiling one each day during National Volunteer Week. We’re also celebrating our White Hatters with a dinner and dance on April 7, and we’re thanking our Pre-Board Pals with a fun evening on April 11. Take a moment this week to thank a volunteer. They all make the guest experience extra special here at YYC and we couldn’t do it without them.

Thank you to Victoria, Takola and Tula for all the emotional connections that you make here at YYC. Click here to learn more about our Pre-Board Pals program.