- Title: Cuddle-dogs release holiday travel stress at Berlin airport
- Date: 18th December 2023
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 15, 2023) (REUTERS) FAMILY PATTING DACHSHUND BENNY AS MOTHER SAYS (German) "All Christmas stress is forgotten now" DACHSHUND INTERACTING WITH CAMERA LITTLE CHILD LOOKING AT DOG OWNER GIVING DOG A TREAT (SOUNDBITE) (German) TRAVELLING MOTHER ANNETTE CERULLI-HARMS, SAYING: "They (her children) are definitely totally curious right now and are also wo
- Embargoed: 1st January 2024 09:11
- Keywords: Berlin Christmas Holiday season airport passengers stress release therapy dogs travelers
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe
- Reuters ID: LVA001652317122023RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Berlin airport found an unusual approach to reduce travelers' holiday and flying stress and to put its visitors at ease: therapy dogs in the departures hall whose sole purpose is to be patted and cuddled with.
Delighted passengers said the dogs are a distraction for children and those who experience anxiety with the prospect of boarding a plane.
Especially during the busy holiday season ahead of Christmas, the programme appears to be a welcome way for travelers to pass time.
Annette Cerulli-Harms, a mother of two from Berlin, said said the pre-Christmas stress was gone as her two children cheerfully patted dachshund Benny.
Benny is one of several dogs belonging to the Therapy Dogs Brandenburg Association and has undergone training with its owner.
Kai Swinne volunteers for the association and is one of several dog owners walking the airport with her dog.
She said many travelers reacted positively to the four-legged visitors and that she was able to tell by people's looks who is not fond of dogs.
"We just walk past them," said Swinne, expressing full sympathy for those travelers.
The Therapy Dog Association also visits other institutions such as retirement homes or daycare centers.
According to the agreement with Berlin airport, the dogs' association visits twelve times a year.
(Production: Oliver Ellrodt, Petra Haverkamp, Anna Dittrich, Lena Toepler) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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