http://www.yourdog.co.uk 63“When it comes
to people, and
other dogs, Ellie is
calm, gentle, and
intuitive...”
● For more information on the
AirPaws Crew at London Southend
Airport, visit http://www.southendairport.
com/corporate-and-community/
therapy-dogsINFO“After a conversation with the caring
people at London Southend Airport to
discuss the benei ts of having therapy
dogs available in the terminal, I soon
found myself putting together a team
of volunteers!”
One of the dogs who is enjoying the
opportunity to gain extra hugs and strokes
from passengers is Ellie. The Labrador, who
was withdrawn from her guide dog training
at 17 months old due to a skin allergy,
has found a new lease of life as a Canine
Concern therapy dog. Her owner, Debbie
Jeremiah from Poslingford, in Suf olk,
adopted Ellie as a pet but soon realised that
her new companion had a range of very
special qualities:
“Ellie had only been with me a couple
of weeks when I took her to the village
BBQ and as we mingled and enjoyed the
event, I noticed how very gentle she was
with everyone, especially children and the
elderly. It made me wonder if I could i nd
her something to do that would make the
best of her guide dog puppy training and
her lovely Labrador personality.”
CANINE COMFORT
After passing her Canine Concern
assessment 12 months ago, Ellie has proved
her worth as a therapy dog by of ering
comfort to patients in the local hospice and
various community groups. As proud owner
Debbie said: “When it comes to people,
and other dogs, Ellie is calm, gentle, and
intuitive, which is everything a therapy dog
needs to be, and her guide dog training
means that when she is on airport duty no
amount of hustle and bustle fazes her.”
For Ellie and Debbie, a day on airport
duty starts with checking through security
and then spending a couple of hours
walking through the terminal where it
doesn’t take long for people to home in on
the friendly Labrador. “Ellie is a very good
reader of people,” explained Debbie. “She
only greets the people who she senses
want her attention, and she is the right
height to snuggle up to a seated passenger
— if she’s made welcome. It’s lovely that
most people take the opportunity to chat
to me about their dogs while stroking Ellie
and taking in the calm of her presence
and attention. The airport staf love having
the AirPaws Crew around too as it’s a busy
and often stressful environment. Whoever
needs them — the dogs are happy to
weave their therapy magic!”
Supporting the benei ts of having
the six volunteer therapy dogs on site,
Glyn Jones, CEO of Stobart Aviation,
said: “We are delighted to enter this
new partnership with Canine Concern
as well as adding six new furry friends
to the London Southend team. We are
looking forward to seeing all the smilesthe AirPaws Crew will bring to travellers.”
At least one of the therapy dogs is on
duty every week covering the airport’s
busiest times. They are also available on
request for especially nervous or special
needs travellers. The dogs are dif erent
breeds and so dif erent sizes, which means
that if a Labrador like Ellie, or her pals
Donut, Oscar, and Rosie may seem
super-sized to younger travellers, their
lap-sized crew mates, Lola and Ted, might
just i t the bill.
When they are not in AirPaws uniform
helping anxious l yers, the canine
volunteers can be found in the company of
their owners visiting care homes, hospitals,
hospices, universities, colleges, and court
buildings of ering their unique blend of
canine therapy and support.
“Having spent much of my working
life taking l ights worldwide, I know how
stressful airports can be,” said Debbie. “But
just introducing a dog to an environment
like that immediately reduces most people’s
anxiety levels. When I’m with Ellie and
the AirPaws team I see it happen right
before my eyes. It is wonderful to be part
of something that can benei t so many
people, and it’s good to see Ellie enjoying
her second career!”
Feedback from passengers who have
met the dogs and enjoyed their pre-l ight
therapy is proving positive, so it is hoped
that the idea will be extended to benei t
more travellers in the future.
“It’s really wonderful to see people’s
anxiety visibly reduce when they are
enjoying the company of a therapy dog,”
said Tina.
“The power of dogs to heal never
ceases to amaze me and the success of
the AirPaws Crew shows that when it
comes to the healing power of dogs,
the sky’s the limit!”
●If you think your dog has the kind of
calm temperament and people skills to
become a Canine Concern volunteer, visit
the charity’s website to see all the options:
http://www.canineconcern.co.uk Any family
dog and any breed can be a therapy dog
providing they can meet some basic
behaviours and pass the Canine Concern
assessment. Dogs who are calm meeting
people, and good with other dogs, make
great candidates for Canine Concern
therapy dogs.Ellie meets some passengers.