Travel stress relief with man’s best friend

Waiting to get through customs at LAX can be exhausting, humbling and a patience rending endurance test for everyone involved. Once off the plane, travelers are led through a warren of corridors toward customs. Inside the main hall, stanchions siphon off passengers into neat rows according to their national status. For those of us returning to the US, it’s tiring enough but for those studying our passports, checking our gaze and photo match, it’s a daily marathon.

On a recent trip home from overseas, it was surprising to see a large German Shepard milling about the baggage terminal. I watched his keepers and assumed they were on a drug sniffing mission. I wasn't involved, nothing to worry about. The dog was on alert and the several, suited men he was waiting with were an odd bunch. They looked like office workers, not security officials and appeared relaxed, unlike customs or DEA officers I've seen at border crossings. I was curious. Our line slowly moved in their direction.

I smiled as we approached the dog. It was a beautiful, smart and gentle creature. Before I knew it, his ‘keeper’ spoke to me like a friendly confidant – “The dog’s here as part of a training test. Would you allow us to use your luggage as part of the process? It won’t take but a minute.” Before my better judgment took over, I nodded yes and watched as he swiftly slipped a canister into my rolling bag, while the dog was looking elsewhere. The deed was done. Suddenly I felt like I might be in trouble and slowly the line kept moving forward.

The dog and keeper moved away and down to the check point with the suits following. My travel partner and I wondered what was going to happen next. As soon as we got within ten feet of the gate, the dog leapt toward my bag. In a flash he was nuzzling the pocket where the canister had been planted. The keeper swiftly retrieved it, smiling and rewarded the creature. He thanked me and strode off to join his admiring group. I could finally relax. I’d just been part of DEA dog-training exercise.

My blood pressure was returning to normal and slowing down. Many have that calming reaction when they’re around dogs. "We know from a whole body of research that blood rate, heart rate and respiratory rate decrease when a person interacts with an animal," Rebecca Johnson, researcher at the University of Missouri, has said.

It’s part of the reason that dogs are being introduced at airports where their beauty and loving presence can help stressed travelers have a better experience. After the tragedy of 9/11, dogs were brought to an airport by a pastor, but the use of dogs for therapy first started during World War II, where they helped to lift the spirits of injured and sick soldiers. In the decades since, therapy dogs have been employed everywhere from high schools to convalescent homes.

There’s a new trend where specially trained dogs have become airport stress relief ambassadors. In San Jose Golden Retrievers are working the airport as therapy dogs. A group of 11 volunteers walk the terminals with the dogs for a few hours each week. The program is funded by donations which help pay for ‘uniforms’ – their red vests embroidered with slogans such as “Pet me, I’m friendly.”

That’s the crux of the program as well. Each of the canine goodwill ambassadors has been specially chosen for their temperament and each been tested before certification.  The dogs have to remain calm when lots of people touch and talk to them. There are obstacles that they must maneuver around easily such as wheel chairs, strollers, walkers and canes. A bowl of food must be no temptation, as they may encounter someone dropping pills. Basic commands have to be obeyed and they must be able to sit and stay for at least five minutes without supervision. It’s a hefty task but many breeds are enlisted as airport therapy dogs around the country.

No matter where therapy dogs are encountered, I’m certain that, like the German Shepard I met at customs, airport dogs have gone through rigorous training. For anyone not harboring contraband, a dogs presence can be a soothing reminder he’s still man’s best friend.

Photo one, PW95, courtesy of Flickr Commons

Photo two, Col&Tasha, courtesy of Flickr Commons