(NEWS) CHARLOTTE, NC, 2025-Dec-12 — /Travel PR News/ — Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is welcoming a very special new member to its award-winning CLT Canine Crew — a therapy dog whose journey to the terminal was shaped by compassion, coincidence and a belief in second chances, according to their press release.
Mahjong, a two-and-a-half-year-old Australian Shepherd, is deaf — a trait that nearly cost him his life. After being surrendered by his previous owner to a rural veterinary clinic in the Missouri Ozarks, Mahjong faced euthanasia. Instead, a compassionate veterinarian and her team chose to protect him, caring for the dog until a foster home could be arranged through Speak! Rescue and Sanctuary.
That decision would ultimately lead Mahjong to one of the busiest airports in the United States, where he now helps bring calm, comfort and smiles to travelers navigating the hubbub of a major aviation gateway.
A chance connection changes everything
Charlotte-area physician Dr. Sheley Revis discovered Mahjong through a Facebook post shared by the rescue organisation and says she was instantly drawn to him. Having previously worked with a deaf Australian Shepherd named McGrady — also a member of the CLT Canine Crew — Dr. Revis was specifically searching for another special-needs dog with the right temperament for therapy work.
After several video calls with Mahjong’s foster family, she committed to adopting him and arranged to meet a rescue volunteer in Tennessee to bring him home. His name, Mahjong, reflects Dr. Revis’s interest in Chinese language studies, which she has pursued for several years.
According to the American Kennel Club, certain “merle” coat patterns can carry recessive genes linked to hearing or vision loss, a reality that often puts dogs like Mahjong at risk. For Dr. Revis, however, deafness is not a limitation — it is simply a difference.
Training without sound — and thriving because of it
Balancing her work at Novant Health University City Internal Medicine, Dr. Revis trained Mahjong using hand signals, adapting techniques commonly used with clickers and treats for hearing dogs. Instead of sound cues, she uses visual markers such as a “thumbs up” to reinforce behaviour.
“The absence of sound actually makes them more focused,” she explains. “There are fewer distractions. And if he’s outside at night and I want him to come in, I use a flashlight.”
That focused connection has translated seamlessly into Mahjong’s role at the airport, where constant noise can overwhelm even experienced therapy animals.
A new chapter with CLT Canine Crew
Mahjong officially joined the CLT Canine Crew as the programme marked its tenth anniversary in May 2025. The volunteer initiative now includes 25 dog-and-handler teams who collectively interact with thousands of passengers each month, offering brief but meaningful moments of relief from travel stress.
Volunteers typically work two two-hour shifts per month, greeting between 150 and 200 travelers per shift. For many passengers, the unexpected encounter with a calm, friendly dog provides a welcome pause amid the rush of travel.
“I don’t love flying, so having a little stress reliever like this just puts a smile on your face,” said Newark-bound passenger Brad Deiter after stopping to pet Mahjong.
Passenger Mandy Bologna, who has fostered dogs with special needs, said the experience resonated deeply. “So many of these dogs, no matter what they’ve been through, are incredibly sweet,” she said.
Changing perceptions, one paw at a time
For Dr. Revis, volunteering with CLT Canine Crew is as rewarding as it is purposeful. “It was and still is the most fun volunteer activity I’ve ever done,” she said. “I love meeting people from all over the world.”
She believes Mahjong’s deafness is actually an advantage in the airport environment — and an opportunity to challenge assumptions. “I love watching people meet him, see how well-adjusted and friendly he is, and then realise, ‘Oh — he’s deaf.’ I can’t think of a better way to show what special-needs pets are capable of.”
As Mahjong settles into his role at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, his story stands as a reminder that empathy, patience and belief can transform lives — sometimes in the most unexpected places.
