Travelers at LAX can find a moment of relaxation amid the chaos of travel thanks to the airport’s Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUP) program, which brings therapy dogs and their handlers to interact with waiting passengers. This program offers comfort and information, helping to alleviate stress. Among the PUPs is Dazu, a six-year-old male Standard Poodle from Palos Verdes, accompanied by his owner Merin Dahlerbruch.
They, along with other handlers and their dogs, roam the Departure Level gate areas to greet and comfort passengers while providing helpful airport information. Dazu, our PV Pet of the Month, is cherished by his Silver Spur area based family, Merin, Erik, Jarred, and Holden Dahlerbruch.
PV Magazine: Why did you adopt Dazu?
Merin Dahleruch: I have always had Standard Poodles. Our last dog lived to be 14 years old even with Addison’s Disease. Right after he died, I met someone from the Pets Unstressing Passengers Program (PUP) at LAX. I knew then that I wanted my next dog to join this amazing program so I looked for a Standard Poodle that would have the right disposition for this type of work. I was lucky to find an amazing breeder in Vista, California who had just the right puppy for me. We started training at 3 months old and have never stopped.
PVM: What’s the story behind your pet’s name?
MD: We spent our honeymoon in China 30 years ago. When we were looking for a name for our last dog we had the idea to pick a city name from our China visit: Xian. For our next dog we decided to stick with that thought process and named him Dazu after a historical village we enjoyed in China.
PVM: What’s unique and special about Dazu?
MD: Besides being an LAX PUP, Dazu has his AKC Good Citizen title, two trick titles, and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. He is a talker and will “speak” on command. Hearing him respond with a howl to “I love you” always brings us great joy. He loves learning and thrives on brain stimulation which is one of the reasons we take a weekly trick training class and ongoing obedience/agility classes.
PVM: What do you like best about your pet?
MD: Of course I like that he is sweet and has those loving human-like eyes that make a poodle so endearing. I love that we get to volunteer together at LAX in the PUPs program. The minute we pull into the airport he gets so excited because he knows what is coming! He brings great joy to many people and helps de-stress them if they need it. Many people are so surprised when they see him donning a vest that says “PET ME”. Dazu leans in and gives them affection or sits patiently beside them while they pet him. He has a collector’s card like a baseball card that we give to them as a souvenir. We travel throughout the terminals and we meet so many interesting people.
PVM: Any funny stories to share?
MD: Dazu has a favorite stuffed animal turkey/rooster that he takes to bed with him every night and moves it to the living room in the morning. If we are up too late, he will grab his stuffed animal and come find us to stare us down to imply that we are past our bedtime.
As well trained as Dazu is, he can’t help himself sometimes from leaping like Jaws to take a bite out of a hotdog or counter surf for pizza and he is known to come running when he hears the meat drawer open because he loves turkey!
PVM: How spoiled is your pet?
MD: If you enjoy massage, you will understand that doing therapy dog work is like getting a few hours of massage! I guess that would be considered spoiled! Dazu is definitely living his best life. We take him with us wherever he is welcome, he has tons of “furriends” that we often join for lunches, playdates, and photo shoots, and he has an amazing collection of outfits.
PVM: What else do you want the community to know about Dazu?
MD: Dazu has led us to having so many fun experiences. Lately I have been his Manager/Uber driver as he is featured in an upcoming book on working dogs, filmed a movie last year that will be released soon, just last week filmed a movie (part of it on the bluffs in PV based on our suggestion) where he is the featured dog actor/principal and even had a “speaking” part. Additionally, you will soon see him in a National Target commercial! He has been a dog model for Healthy Spot, been photographed by many notable photographers, and walked the runway at LA Fashion week in a custom canine couture outfit by Anthony Rubio.
We often plan our family weekends around local dog friendly events, take Dazu out shopping, visit various Cars and Coffee events, and enjoy time with dog loving friends, many whom we have met through Instagram (his instagram is @PoodleGoesShopping)
