TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa Bay area man is leading an organization that is bringing lots of joy and comfort to people who need it. John Turner is the president of Project PUP or Pets Uplifting People.

Turner has been with the organization for more than 30 years. Project PUP helps to train people to use their dogs as therapy dogs, who then visit places including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals and even airports.

Recently, Turner and two other volunteers with the organization visited a St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport passenger holding area with their dogs. Turner brought his Boston Terrier Mickey.

“Good morning, this is Mickey. Mickey is a therapy dog with Project PUP,” said Turner to a couple waiting to board their flight. The couple petted Mickey as Turner talked to them about the organization.

Michelle Winans said she enjoyed her time with Mickey. “Yeah. Yeah. Because I love dogs,” she said.

“We’ve had very nervous passengers that are terrified of flying,” said Tuner. “We’ll sit with them the whole time until they board. And they (the dogs) will just comfort them the whole time. They will cuddle with them and lay down with them.”

Turner said Project Pup has 570 volunteers with dogs that are part of the group. He said he got into volunteering therapy dog services after a severe illness left him hospitalized for an extended period and he realized how much he missed his dog.

He gets a great deal of personal satisfaction by leading Project PUP. “Making people smile. Getting people to forget about their fears or their worries or just making people feel and enjoy time with the dogs,” he said. “I have seen people that have been in a really horrible condition. It changes their whole demeanor and outlook. They smile and laugh, and they want to hug the dog and love the dog.”