Southampton International Airport has employed a new four-legged team to help settle the nerves of passengers with hidden disabilities. The Canine Crew therapy dogs come from the charity Therapy Dogs Nationwide & will be on patrol once a week being stationed in arrival & departure lounges.
The lovely animals have been fully temperament tested and are highly experienced in their trade. They will prove themselves beneficial to both the passengers and staff alike..
– it’s basically the same sentence as the one above so I’d just get rid of this one
Meanwhile, Paulette Hockley, Placement Officer at Therapy Dogs Nationwide, added: “We are very privileged to have passionate volunteers who keep our charity running by taking their own dogs into establishments to give comfort, distraction and stimulation.
“We are looking forward to working with Southampton Airport and sharing the benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy with both passengers and team members”
This is not the first time dogs have been used at Southampton Airport as the scheme was trialled in 2019 on a temporary basis. l It was seen to be very helpful which is why it is now being continued as a permanent scheme.
“Four-legged companions are well known for boosting general happiness, well-being as well as mood and we are very excited to welcome them to the Southampton Airport family,” said Simon Young, Head of Passenger Operations. “Our sister airport in Aberdeen was the first in the country to trial airport therapy dogs and we are happy to be carrying on that legacy,” he added.
The launch of Southampton Airport’s new doggy collective On Tuesday 14th January coincided with a charity collection for the nation pet charity, Blue Cross. Commenting on the collaboration Kirsty Smith, Rehoming Supervisor at Blue Cross Southampton said: “We see every day how incredible pets are and how much of a benefit they bring to our lives; through the joy they bring and often helping alleviate our stress and worry in difficult situation.”
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