Halifax Stanfield International Airport and the folks at St. John Ambulance have launched a new therapy dog program to comfort weary travellers.

Starting Friday, seven volunteer dogs and their owners will be making regularly scheduled visits to the airport. The visits will take place on Tuesday and Friday afternoons.

Halifax Stanfield has launched a new therapy dog program to comfort weary travellers. 0:54

The dogs are clearly identified with St. John Ambulance handkerchiefs around their necks.

According to St. John Ambulance's website, the program started in June, 1992, as a pilot program in Peterborough, Ont. Today, nearly 3,000 therapy dog teams reach thousands annually.

"The St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program brings joy and comfort to the sick, lonely and those in need of a friendly visit," says the website.

Therapy dogs must possess special qualities. They must be calm, like people and behave well is busy settings.