Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark and Washington/Dulles airports will have dogs scattered throughout.

Most of the pups are golden retrievers, although Labradors, pugs, and other dogs are also participating. Many will be at the gates for passengers to pet while they wait to board their flights.

The dogs come as part of United Airlines' United Paws program which began last year.

"Research shows that just petting a dog releases oxytocin, the hormone associated with bonding and affection, and also decreases levels of stress," veterinarian Dr. Walter Woolf said in a news release.

The program runs Dec. 21 through Dec. 23.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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