Not horsing around: Vancouver airport is 1st in Canada to feature therapy ponies
It's a bet Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is making as it introduces a pair of new therapy ponies it hopes to have on site two to three days a week to help soothe travellers' nerves.
The airport has long featured therapy dogs, but YVR chief experience officer Eric Pateman said it recently connected with Green Acres Therapy Horses in Delta and decided it could do more for the 80 per cent of passengers who find airports stressful.
'We wanted to up our game,' he said.
'And thought what a cool opportunity to bring something that is a little bit different into the airport. They bring a whole new energy and as you can probably see behind me, a whole new level of engagement.'
Story continues below advertisement
2:33
Meet the Canucks Place therapy dog having a huge impact on lives of children
YVR is the first airport in Canada and one of the first in North America to bring in therapy ponies.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
The ponies, Magic and Tinkerbell, are already a massive hit — earning squeals of delight from children and attracting staff and even patrolling RCMP officers who wanted to say hello.
'Just seeing all the faces smiling, it just makes our hearts melt,' said Jacqueline Green of Green Acres.
'Horses release feel-good endorphins in us which just immediately make us feel better, and they also lower our heart rates,' added Pamela Green, her identical twin sister.
'It's like a reset for everybody.
The duo said they have personally lost family members to mental health challenges, an experience that has motivated them to share their therapy horse program.
Story continues below advertisement
'We're driven with that purpose and the horses are really helping provide that,' Jaqueline said.
The ponies are currently visiting with the airport on a trial basis, and Pateman said they're still working out a schedule — though Magic and Tinkerbell's appearances will be posted on the website so people will know when they're on site.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
4 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Try out being a tourist at home — in Winnipeg
Opinion Many Canadians and Manitobans are rethinking their travel plans to the United States this summer. Rather than exploring the architecture and history of other places, we might take this opportunity to become tourists in our own city, rediscovering Winnipeg — a city that is often underappreciated, but one that is truly unique in Canada. A good starting point for exploration is Upper Fort Garry Heritage Provincial Park. Once the administrative hub of the fur trade and the site of the Louis Riel-led Red River Rebellion, this fort is often considered the birthplace of both Winnipeg and Manitoba. Visitors can connect to its history by walking through interpretive gardens that outline the ghosts of lost buildings or take in the dramatic public art wall that rises along the original fortifications. The land surrounding the fort was once part of the HBC Reserve, a 200-hectare tract that stretched north to present-day Notre Dame Avenue. After the Hudson's Bay Company surrendered Rupert's Land to the federal government, it retained this property, transforming it into Winnipeg's first planned neighbourhood. With Broadway as its central thoroughfare, streets were laid out, thousands of elm trees planted, and schools and churches were built to attract residential development. Many of Winnipeg's most prominent citizens moved in, building elegant homes along the tree-lined avenues. Brent Bellamy Photo The Union Bank Tower, Canada's first skyscraper, the tallest building in the country at its completion. One such citizen was Sir Hugh John Macdonald, a Manitoba premier and son of Canada's first prime minister. In 1895, he would build Dalnavert House, a red-brick mansion on Carlton Street, one of Winnipeg's first homes with electricity, indoor plumbing, and central heating. A century later, the Canadian Antiques Society hailed it as 'one of the finest examples of Victorian domestic architecture in North America.' Unfortunately, much of the beautiful historic neighbourhood has been replaced with parking lots and large modern buildings, but you can still find a few of the houses, apartments and churches hiding in their shadows, and Dalnavert is today a beautiful immersive museum. Walking through its doors allows one to imagine what the grand neighbourhood was once like, providing a glimpse into the way of life for early Winnipeggers. North of the HBC Reserve, a neighbourhood of muscular, stone buildings was also rising, the entrepreneurial centre of an optimistic young city. The Exchange District National Historic Site is today the most intact turn of the century commercial neighbourhood in Canada, standing as a physical record of Winnipeg's transformation from pioneer settlement to modern metropolis. Strolling through the Exchange on a warm summer day, it's easy to imagine a time when wooden sidewalks bustled with men wearing dark hats, ladies wearing long dresses, and the clip-clop sound of horse-drawn carriages filling the air. Stand at the corner of McDermot and Albert and you are surrounded by buildings that have witnessed much of our city's history. Their worn and uneven brick walls are eager to tell us their story. Taking the time to read their facades — the rhythm of arched windows, the detailed brickwork, the ornate cornices — you begin to unlock their quiet narrative. Walk under the shadows of Union Bank Tower at the bend in Main Street to appreciate what is Canada's first skyscraper, the tallest building in the country at its completion. A landmark of such significance would be nationally recognized if it had the boosterism of Toronto or Montreal. Brent Bellamy Photo Lower Fort Garry. An added layer of the Exchange District experience is to explore Canada's best collection of ghost signs, the layers of hand painted wall advertisements that are slowly fading into time. These ethereal pieces of the urban fabric tell the colourful story of the neighbourhood as a manufacturing centre, our once-thriving garment industry represented by companies such as Buffalo Cap and Neckwear, Patrick's Shoes and McGregor Hosiery. Today, the Exchange's yellow brick warehouses and terra cotta towers are filled with galleries, restaurants, theatres, and shops. Visitors can enjoy concerts or festivals, take tours, or simply wander through this 20-block National Historic Site — an urban treasure few cities possess. Across the river from the Exchange, another chapter of Winnipeg's unique story is brought to life. Once two cities — one English, one French — Winnipeg's dual identity is expressed through a small collection of historic buildings, with the city's best view of its modern skyline. Standing in the tranquil courtyard of St. Boniface Cathedral the circular opening that once held a stunning rose window tells the story of a young painter working in the attic on a mid-summer day in 1968. A cigarette carelessly flicked away would cause a fire that ripped through the largest and most imposing church in Western Canada. Within an hour, the two great towers at its front would collapse, tearing through the roof of the building, and through the heart of the Franco-Manitoban community. A beautiful modern church, designed by architect Étienne Gaboury, sits with grace and elegance withinthe ruins, creating an internal courtyard that provides a place to quietly reflect on both the sense of loss and the perseverance of a dynamic community that found such a thoughtful way to rebuild and move forward. Weekday Evenings Today's must-read stories and a roundup of the day's headlines, delivered every evening. Next door, the Saint-Boniface Museum continues the celebration of that community, housed in the former Grey Nuns Convent built in 1846, a gracious two-storey hipped roof structure that is the largest oak log building in North America. Brent Bellamy Photo Upper Fort Garry Moving north, an exploration can go even further back in time to reveal the stories of the earliest settlers in the west — from Seven Oaks House, the oldest home on the Canadian Prairies, and its neighbour, Inkster's General Store from 1831, the oldest building in Winnipeg, to the settler homesteads along River Road and St. Andrew's, the oldest church in Western Canada. As a bookend to the interpretive gardens that hold the memory of a lost fort in Downtown Winnipeg, the real thing still sits along the Red River just north of the city limits. Despite a junior high field trip being the last time most of us have visited Lower Fort Garry, the oldest intact fur-trading post in North America and the location of the signing of Treaty One deserves to be given a profile of international prominence. Wandering the grounds, listening to the interpreters, and absorbing the history of an original, perfectly preserved two-century-old fur-trading fort is an experience that cannot be had anywhere else in the country. Winnipeg is a city that is rarely thought of as a tourist destination, but the stories told through its architecture are unique in Canada. Taking the time to be tourists in our own city might help us more deeply understand ourselves and invite others to join us on that journey. Brent Bellamy is creative director at Number Ten Architectural Group. Dalnavert House on Carlton Street, one of Winnipeg's first homes with electricity, indoor plumbing, and central heating. The courtyard of St. Boniface Cathedral. Brent Bellamy Photos Winnipge's Exchange District shows off the layers of hand painted wall advertisements that are slowly fading into time. Brent BellamyColumnist Brent Bellamy is creative director for Number Ten Architectural Group. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Edmonton Journal
20 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
How Trump could complicate Canada's 2026 World Cup hosting plans
Article content A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency said the agency is working closely with federal government departments, host cities and FIFA 'in the safety and security planning for this international event.' Article content Matheson said fans — particularly those from countries that have found themselves in Trump's crosshairs — have good reasons to be worried. Article content 'I would be very concerned about planning a vacation that has you travelling from Mexico or from Canada into the United States and back. I don't think that you can guarantee that vacation of a lifetime is actually going to be there for you to actually take,' he said. Article content He said it's one thing to be denied entry, another to end up in jail and deported — potentially to a prison in El Salvador. Article content 'No one wants to go to the World Cup to watch some soccer games and then end up in jail,' he said. Article content Article content Trump's moves to impose tariffs on much of the world, including Canada, could also affect the World Cup. Article content Matheson offered the example of someone who makes jerseys for a country's team who would want to ship those jerseys across the border with the team. Article content 'Tariffs make that type of inventory management pretty challenging,' he said. Article content Tim Elcombe is a professor at Wilfrid Laurier University whose areas of expertise include sports, politics and international affairs. He said 'there was a sense that having the event in Canada, the United States and Mexico would almost be a bit of a calming of the political waters,' as the cup returned to Western countries. Article content Article content Canada is co-hosting one of world's biggest sporting events with a country whose president has instigated a trade war and threatened annexation. Canadians have cut travel to the U.S. and stopped buying American products — and it's not clear what all of that might mean for the World Cup. Article content Article content While Vancouver and Toronto will host some games, 'really this is an American-centric competition,' Elcombe said. Article content 'So how will Canadians feel about this? Will we get behind it? Will it become the event I think they were hoping it would be?' Article content In early July, labour and human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, wrote to FIFA president Gianni Infantino to say U.S. policies under Trump pose a 'serious threat' to individuals, especially non-citizens. Article content The letter accused FIFA of ignoring 'the clear evidence of the significant deterioration of the rights climate in the United States.' Article content Elcombe said while the United States is likely to take the brunt of scrutiny, Canada is not immune. Article content 'Canada is going to have to be prepared for a very critical eye in terms of focus on some of the issues in Canada from a human rights perspective, because I think they will be exposed,' he said, citing Canada's relationship with Indigenous Peoples as one example. Article content MacIntosh Ross, a fellow at the Scott McCain and Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health at Saint Mary's University, said Canada should put pressure on the U.S. government 'to make sure that things happen in a safe or as safe a manner as possible.' Article content 'The Canadian organizers and the Canadian government need to be very clear about their expectations for their partners in this World Cup and reiterate them and state them over and over again,' he said. Article content Elcombe noted Infantino, who has 'very much established himself as a friend and supporter of President Trump,' could be a key player in determining how the coming months unfold. Article content Article content It's difficult to predict what Trump might do, Zimbalist said. If there are political issues in the United States that he wants to distract people from, 'you can see him doing crazier and crazier things internationally to get people's minds off of what's actually happening.' Article content Article content But Trump also has shown that he cares about the World Cup and looking good as he hosts the tournament. Article content 'I think he does care about image and he does care about being on the world stage,' Zimbalist said. 'So I can see that being a significant deterrent, actually.'
Global News
a day ago
- Global News
U.S. politics threaten to complicate Canada's co-hosting of 2026 World Cup
With less than a year to go until the 2026 World Cup, political tensions and U.S. policy threaten to pose problems as Canada, the United States and Mexico prepare to co-host the tournament. Next year's FIFA World Cup will be the biggest ever, with the three countries hosting a record 48 teams. Between June 11 and July 19, they will play 104 matches, most of them in the U.S. With millions of fans expected to cross borders to attend the games, U.S. President Donald Trump's harsh immigration policies — which include travel bans on some countries, immigration raids and mass deportations — are generating anxiety. 'This is all being driven by the United States. And we're entirely the guilty party here,' said Victor Matheson, a professor at College of Holy Cross in Massachusetts who specializes in sports economics. 'You could have significant immigration problems with fans and players going across borders.' Story continues below advertisement The U.S. has travel bans in place for 12 countries and restrictions in place for seven, and is considering banning travellers from another 36 countries. Though there are exemptions for athletes, staff and families, the unpredictability of Trump's administration means no one knows for certain what kind of rules might be in place by the time the tournament starts. Economist Andrew Zimbalist, who wrote a book on the economics of hosting the World Cup, said Trump has the ability to make it difficult for people to travel, but it's not clear whether he will actually do so. 'I think probably Trump himself might not have the answers because … he responds very impetuously to changes in his environment,' he said. Concerns about visas or political opposition to Trump might lead some soccer fans to decide not to attend at all, while others opt to attend the games in Canada instead, Zimbalist suggested. But he also pointed out that the quarter, semifinals and final are all taking place in the U.S. A spokesperson for Canadian Heritage said Canada could see a million international visitors during the tournament. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Given the tri-national nature of the event, it is anticipated that international and domestic travellers will move back and forth between Canada and the United States. The focus will continue to be on the flow of movement, the safety of travellers and the security of the borders,' the spokesperson said. Story continues below advertisement A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency said the agency is working closely with federal government departments, host cities and FIFA 'in the safety and security planning for this international event.' Matheson said fans — particularly those from countries that have found themselves in Trump's crosshairs — have good reasons to be worried. 'I would be very concerned about planning a vacation that has you travelling from Mexico or from Canada into the United States and back. I don't think that you can guarantee that vacation of a lifetime is actually going to be there for you to actually take,' he said. He said it's one thing to be denied entry, another to end up in jail and deported — potentially to a prison in El Salvador. 'No one wants to go to the World Cup to watch some soccer games and then end up in jail,' he said. Trump's moves to impose tariffs on much of the world, including Canada, could also affect the World Cup. Matheson offered the example of someone who makes jerseys for a country's team who would want to ship those jerseys across the border with the team. 'Tariffs make that type of inventory management pretty challenging,' he said. Story continues below advertisement Tim Elcombe is a professor at Wilfrid Laurier University whose areas of expertise include sports, politics and international affairs. He said 'there was a sense that having the event in Canada, the United States and Mexico would almost be a bit of a calming of the political waters,' as the cup returned to Western countries. Instead, he said, the 2026 tournament may be even more politically charged than the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Canada is co-hosting one of world's biggest sporting events with a country whose president has instigated a trade war and threatened annexation. Canadians have cut travel to the U.S. and stopped buying American products — and it's not clear what all of that might mean for the World Cup. While Vancouver and Toronto will host some games, 'really this is an American-centric competition,' Elcombe said. 'So how will Canadians feel about this? Will we get behind it? Will it become the event I think they were hoping it would be?' In early July, labour and human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, wrote to FIFA president Gianni Infantino to say U.S. policies under Trump pose a 'serious threat' to individuals, especially non-citizens. The letter accused FIFA of ignoring 'the clear evidence of the significant deterioration of the rights climate in the United States.' Story continues below advertisement Elcombe said while the United States is likely to take the brunt of scrutiny, Canada is not immune. 'Canada is going to have to be prepared for a very critical eye in terms of focus on some of the issues in Canada from a human rights perspective, because I think they will be exposed,' he said, citing Canada's relationship with Indigenous Peoples as one example. MacIntosh Ross, a fellow at the Scott McCain and Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health at Saint Mary's University, said Canada should put pressure on the U.S. government 'to make sure that things happen in a safe or as safe a manner as possible.' 'The Canadian organizers and the Canadian government need to be very clear about their expectations for their partners in this World Cup and reiterate them and state them over and over again,' he said. Elcombe noted Infantino, who has 'very much established himself as a friend and supporter of President Trump,' could be a key player in determining how the coming months unfold. It's difficult to predict what Trump might do, Zimbalist said. If there are political issues in the United States that he wants to distract people from, 'you can see him doing crazier and crazier things internationally to get people's minds off of what's actually happening.' But Trump also has shown that he cares about the World Cup and looking good as he hosts the tournament. Story continues below advertisement 'I think he does care about image and he does care about being on the world stage,' Zimbalist said. 'So I can see that being a significant deterrent, actually.'
