Canine comforts: Brisbane Airport calls in remedy canines to ease traveller worries

Brisbane Airport has launched remedy canines at its home terminal on Wednesday July 11 as a part of a trial aimed toward lowering preflight anxiousness for travellers.

The trial sees canine ambassadors from Remedy and Assist Animals Australia provide help and luxury whereas passengers wait to board their flights.  

“Remedy canines are in use in a rising variety of airports all over the world to calm nerves and assist folks de-stress. Who doesn’t love a pet?” mentioned Brisbane Airport Company Head of Communications and Model Advertising, Sarah Whyte.

The suggestions to date has been overwhelmingly constructive, in keeping with Whyte.

“Not solely have we had actually constructive suggestions from travellers but additionally our airport workers and airline crew too. We’ve had an incredible response to date,” she mentioned.

“There was the FIFO employee who hadn’t patted his canine for a month. We met a household who had just lately misplaced their father who simply wished pet cuddles. And a girl who had just lately misplaced her personal canine. In every of those circumstances, it was the dialog and connection that passed off across the remedy animal that made all of the distinction.”

Canine coach Nikki Bignell, a former Queensland Police Service canine handler, says the consolation of a canine can have highly effective results.

“We all know that airports could be very traumatic environments for some folks so we’re trailing remedy canines to assist cut back anxiousness and stress for travellers and naturally workers.

“Petting a remedy animal releases endorphins making folks really feel higher, diminishing emotions of ache, despair and loneliness.”