Top dogs in caring
FRIENDLY dogs are providing emotional support for travellers at Townsville Airport.
It is the first time a regional Australian airport has had a regular therapy dog program in place.
The initiative is a collaboration between Townsville Airport and Sensitive Companions and is aimed at assisting PTSD sufferers, nervous flyers and anyone experiencing anxieties to have a more enjoyable airport experience.
Townsville Airport general manager commercial Isabelle Yates said the dogs would be in the departure lounge during busy periods three days a week.
“That’s the time that we find people are more anxious,” Ms Yates said.
At a launch yesterday, Townsville Airport held a fundraiser and presented Sensitive Companions with a $ 10,000 cheque to support the one- year ongoing trial.
Ms Yates expects the in- itiative will bring positive passenger feedback.
“We expect that, who doesn’t like dogs?,” she said, adding the service would benefit passengers travelling to and from Townsville.
“We have had a fair few people who have PTSD dogs call upon the airport to see whether or not they are allowed to take their dogs in and out of the airport,” Ms Yates said.
Sensitive Companions manager Chris Randell said travellers would be able to pat, brush, cuddle and talk to the Alaskan malamutes.
“They just love being around people and embracing it and making you feel happy,” Ms Randell said. Alaskan malamutes were specifically chosen by Sensitive Companions as support dogs due to their demeanour.
“I’ve done a lot of research in America with the Alaskan malamutes and I found that they have a natural ability to cope and to see which people are stressing,” Ms Randell said.
Sensitive Companions have four support dogs, which are required to undergo training until they are 18 months old.
Ms Randell said her experience as a foster carer shone a light on the importance of therapy dogs.
“I had a young person in my care who had really high care needs, who really needed extra help,” she said. “A person couldn’t reach her but a therapy puppy did and made a big change and a big difference in her life.”
Minister for Disability Services and Seniors Coralee O’Rourke said having the dogs available at Townsville Airport would provide a calming effect on passengers.
“( It’s) identifying that an assistance dog actually provides a lot more support and calming impact on someone than we ever would have thought possible,” Ms O’Rourke said.