Appleton International Airport. (PHOTO: WTAQ News)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – For those nervous about getting on a plane, Appleton International Airport has a very simple solution. Dogs.
While it’s not quite Airbud, the dogs do help airline passengers relax a bit while waiting for their flights to arrive.
“There are anxious travelers who are not super comfortable flying, and we get comments every week about how comforting it was to have the dogs there because you can pet the dogs, and the dogs are trained just to accept love and give love,” says Marketing Manager Patrick Tracey, “A lot of the folks are regular customers here, so they’ve seen the dogs before. They get to know them. The travelers were thrilled to have a little bit of normalcy come back to their lives in the midst of what’s going on.”
Some travelers stop in their tracks to bend over and pet the dogs, while some percentage can even be seen getting down on the floor to play with them.
Studies have shown that interacting with a friendly pet can reduce anxiety, release calming endorphins, and improve overall health. Therapy dogs have been a growing trend at airports across the country over the past several years.
Appleton International Airport has partnered with the Fox Valley Humane Association for the program.
“Because they’re our neighbor, we got to know them and they love to be out with the community. We just started having some of the dogs here to greet the travelers as they arrive for their flights, and it’s turned into a 5 year very successful program,” Tracey tells WTAQ News.
In addition to visiting Appleton Airport travelers, FVHA is in the middle of a $100,000 matching grant campaign. Community philanthropist Mary Beth Nienhaus is providing the matching grant to the association’s Make a Difference campaign. Tracey says they are just about $12,000 shy of reaching that $100,000 threshold. Community members can donate in person at the shelter or online.
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