- Title: Therapy dogs bring stress relief to travellers at Moscow airport
- Date: 29th December 2019
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (DECEMBER 28, 2019) (REUTERS) CHILDREN PETTING THERAPY DOG GIRL SENDING AIR KISSES TO DOG, PETTING IT CHILDREN GIGGLING AS THEY ARE OFFERED TO GIVE DOG A TREAT, MOTHER FILMING WITH HER PHONE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) TRAVELLER, ANASTASIYA SERPILINA, SAYING: "It distracts really well and helps to relax a lot. It's such a blast for the children ahead of the flight. Especially when they fly for the first time, it helps a lot." BOY AND WOMAN PLAYING WITH DOG, BOY SCREAMING, JUMPING AWAY MAN WITH DOG IN HANDS VARIOUS OF WOMAN PETTING DOG, TALKING TO IT LOVINGLY WOMAN TAKING PICTURES WITH SMARTPHONE VARIOUS OF DOG AND TRAVELLERS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) TRAVELLER, OLGA PLESNOVA, SAYING: "It is amazing in our view. This is exactly what we need now. We've missed our flight today and are trying to get away for the second time. And we got our doze of positivity!" WOMAN SAYING (Russian) 'How sweet!' AS SHE PETS DOG, WOMEN AND BOY PETTING DOG SMARTPHONE SCREEN / WOMEN SAYING (Russian) 'How sweet!' (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) TRAVELLER, YULIA (NO SURNAME GIVEN), SAYING: "They are really nice, friendly dogs. Yes? MAXIM SAYING: "Yes!" YULIA SAYING: "Did you like them?" MAXIM SAYING: "Yes!" YULIA SAYING: "We made friends with them. When we fly back, we will come to say hi to them again." (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) THERAPY DOG TRAINER, STAS GRISHAVIN, SAYING: "It is an interesting experience for developing our organisation. We are helping people who are scared of flying and we can give them at least some support with our activities." DOG GIVING PAW TO BOY WOMEN SMILING AS THEY WATCH THERAPY DOGS DOGS SURROUNDED BY TRAVELLERS DOG BEING PETTED (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) TRAVELLER, YELIZAVETA KAIDUROVA, SAYING: "For many people animals are indeed a stress relief. And I think it can really calm down children and even adults who are nervous ahead of a flight. It can distract from thinking about the future flight. So I believe it's a really good idea." GIRL IN WHITE DRESS GIGGLES AS SHE TRIES TO PET DOG CHRISTMAS TREE IN AIRPORT PASSENGERS LOOKING AT DEPARTURES BOARD PEOPLE WAITING IN AIRPORT CHAIRS THERAPY DOG WALKING THROUGH AIRPORT
- Embargoed: 12th January 2020 12:09
- Keywords: Christmas season Domodedovo airport Moscow airport New Year festivities passenger stress therapy dogs
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Human Interest / Brights / Odd News,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001BC12XQ1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Therapy dogs brought smiles and giggles to a Russian airport on Saturday (December 28) as passengers of all ages were given the chance to pet and hug them ahead of their flights.
Moscow's Domodedovo airport teamed up with the 'United Animal Therapists' association to lift the spirits of those who may be nervous before boarding.
"We are helping people who are scared of flying and we can give them support with our activities," the president of the association, Stas Grishavin, told Reuters.
Both grownups and children alike were happily petting the animals that went through special training ahead of their big day in the airport.
With national holidays in Russia about to kick off, the country's airports are particularly busy, so the therapy dogs had no shortage of takers.
The association of 'United Animal Therapists' takes animals to hospitals, universities, as well as working with children with special needs. The group also organises therapy sessions with other animals, including horses and lamas.
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