Colonie

Pigs may not be flying yet, but one named Bacon Bits is greeting people who do at Albany International Airport.

Bacon Bits, a 101-pound potbelly pig, became the nation's second official therapy swine Wednesday to work at an airport, following one named LiLou that started just last week in San Francisco.

Dressed in a custom Santa suit, the friendly Mr. Bits drew a crowd of media and curious onlookers for his first day on the job. He is now part of a cadre of more than 30 dogs whose volunteer owners take them around the airport as a kind of therapy to greet and comfort flyers.

"I saw right away that Bacon Bits just loves people," said his owner, Terry Hutchinson, an Amsterdam resident who got her pet nearly two years ago as a surprise gift when she was recovering from cardiac surgery.

The month-old swine then weighed just two pounds and could be held in one hand. He soon became best friends with her granddaughter, Marianna, with the two snuggling on the couch together to watch television.

Soon the pig, Hutchinson, her three-year-old granddaughter, and longtime friend Edward Kleinbeil became roving goodwill ambassadors, logging about 5,000 miles a month visiting dozens of nursing homes and other residential facilities in 10 upstate counties.

When Hutchinson recently learned of the Albany airport's therapy dog program, which started in 2003 with a single canine, she applied on behalf of her jovial hog. "Bacon Bits has an extensive resume," said Helen Chadderdon, director of the airport's Canine Customer Service Ambassador Program. "And he certainly is friendly."

The airport's animal program is meant to relax travelers and reduce stress. "We encourage people to pet our animals and take photos or selfies," said Chadderdon.

After the swine successfully met with some of the ambassador dogs, he was in. On Wednesday, Bacon Bits was joined by the program's smallest dog — Tallulah, a 3.6-pound Yorkshire terrier — and largest dog — Muffy, a Newfoundland that weighs about 130 pounds.

Hutchinson took Bacon Bits around the area beyond the security screening gates, as curious passengers peppered her with questions, took pictures, and watched her pig happily eat carrots produced by Kleinbeil from a bag in his pocket. "When he was little, you could pick him up, but he would squeal so loud, it would vibrate your eardrums," said Kleinbeil.

Having a pig is nothing new for Hutchinson, who had a 450-pounder named Charlie when she was a young girl growing up on her parents' dairy farm in Charleston, Montgomery County.

Now 20 months old, Bacon Bits is about a big as he is going to get, at 17 inches high at the shoulder and 28 inches long. But he might pack on another 25 pounds or so as he fills out, said Hutchinson.

People who want to follow his adventures can do so on his Facebook page, which uses his name and is found at http://bit.ly/2huwxPK

"I am not sure that Bacon Bits is capable of flying by himself due to his shape and size," Hutchinson said. "My objective is for him to meet as many people as possible and make our Albany travelers smile."

bnearing@timesunion.com • 518-454-5094 • @Bnearing10