For nearly a decade, Shotgun, a fox-red Labrador retriever with a heart as big as Texas, has been a familiar, comforting presence at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Whether easing travel anxieties, bringing joy to children or simply offering a moment of calm in the rush of an international terminal, Shotgun wasn’t just a member of the Houston Airports Pet Therapy program—he was a trusted friend to millions of passengers.

After 340 hours of volunteer service and countless wagging tails, Shotgun is hanging up his vest. His retirement marks the end of an era for the Houston Airports Pet Therapy program, where he became a legend in the halls of IAH. He would ride the Skytrain with excited children, greeting travelers at every terminal or donning festive outfits for holidays and special events. Shotgun sported a cowboy hat when the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo came to town. He proudly wore the team's jersey during the many MLB World Series runs by the Houston Astros. No matter the occasion, he was there, ready to lift spirits.

But Shotgun’s impact stretched far beyond the airport. At just six months old, he began training to become a certified therapy dog and received his certification six months later. Shotgun spent seven years working with patients at TIRR Memorial Hermann in the Texas Medical Center. He also served as an animal-assisted therapy dog at M.D. Anderson Children’s Hospital, offering comfort to patients facing life-changing treatments. In 2016, he received his crisis response certification and was among the first dogs to volunteer with the Houston Airports Pet Therapy program.

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For nine years, he and his handler, Louise, visited Bush Airport two to four times monthly, offering comfort to passengers and airport staff alike. With his extensive therapy experience, Shotgun was a perfect fit for Houston Airports. He instinctively knew which traveler needed him most—offering a paw, a gentle nudge or simply sitting beside them for comfort.

His presence was a highlight at Wings for All and Fantasy Flight, where children facing hardships got a magical airport experience. He walked in holiday parades and even stopped to listen to Harmony in the Air musicians, allowing passengers to pet him as they enjoyed the music.

On Thursday, February 27, his final day as a volunteer at IAH, Shotgun walked one last special journey with fellow Houston Airports Pet Therapy dog Minka.

For Ella Ghica, Manager of Outreach Initiatives and Volunteer Programs for Houston Airports, saying goodbye to Shotgun was bittersweet. “It was hard seeing him wobble a bit when he was walking, but even in retirement, he still had that spark, that eagerness to comfort people,” she said. “He has been a part of so many travelers’ experiences. Shotgun knew who needed him most, whether it was a young child, a nervous flyer or even an exhausted airline crew member. He made the journey better for so many people."

Though his paws will no longer grace IAH Terminal A's terrazzo floors, Shotgun's legacy endures—not just through the countless passengers he comforted but also in the next generation of therapy dogs he helped train, and in the very spirit of the program he shaped. His retirement is well-earned, and while Houston Airports bids farewell to a beloved airport ambassador, one thing is sure. Every time a traveler encounters a Houston Airports Pet Therapy dog at a Houston airport, they'll be riding Shotgun's legacy.