GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Traveling can be stressful, and Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport is hoping a few four-legged friends might be able to help ease the anxiety.
Puppy love will spread throughout the terminal as the new PawsAero Therapy Dog program brings in certified therapy dogs to calm the nerves of anxious flyers.
“It’s natural to be nervous to fly,” said Airport Director Marty Piette. “Personally, I’m not anxious to fly. I just can’t wait to play with the pet therapy dogs.
The airport used to have Fritz, a single therapy dog that would roam the terminal and bring smiles to the faces of passengers. His family moved out of the area about two years ago.
Now, there are three dogs and handlers signed on to take up the mantle.
“It’s really important to have the passengers back, and what we’re doing with the pet therapy program is just one more amenity that we can offer,” Piette told WTAQ News. “Therapy animals have been proven to bring down blood pressure, bring down high anxiety levels, bring down stress. So again, it’s just one more amenity here that we can offer for the passengers…They will be able to roam around the terminal building, calming any fears or anxiousness that our passengers might be experiencing.”
Rizzo the Australian Shepherd is about two years old. He’s got a lot of energy and love to share with anyone who will stop to say hello. His handler is Shirley Seymour of Suamico, who loves every experience she has when Rizzo meets new friends.
A pilot stops in the terminal to give all of the love to Australian Shepherd therapy dog, Rizzo. (Photo/WTAQ News)
Seymour first learned about her puppy’s impact while waiting at an airport in Chicago to pick up her son.
“Just listening to the stories of pets people have raised and ‘Oh, I wish we could have a dog,’ ‘We’re too old,’ or ‘I’m so glad I got to spend time with your dog!’” Seymour said. “A family with little kids, we stopped with them while we’re waiting for our son. They just said ‘Thank you, you settled them down.’ We just distracted the kids long enough.”
But her first experience with a therapy dog program came while she was waiting for a flight in Arizona.
“You’re wasting so much time, so to speak. That’s the way the system is, and it was so much fun to greet these different dogs and it just passed the time. It relaxes you and you enjoy it,” Seymour said.
Seymour says she then figured if her puppy helped her through tough times, maybe he could do the same for others.
“I came in the door, I had some pilots right away that were loving him up. If you’re a dog person, this is great. And if you can get your dog to do it, it’s even better,” Seymour said. “I’m glad you got some loving from my dog, because the whole purpose of doing this was to enjoy that.”
Rizzo will be joined by Blue, the mini-Australian Shepherd and Bailie, the gentle giant Newfoundland.
The gentle giant Newfoundland, Bailie, allows a pilot to pet her as part of Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport’s new PawsAero Therapy Dog program. (Photo/WTAQ News)
The new PawAero program isn’t just for passengers, either.
“It’s for employees too. It’s a stressful environment to work in, so we hope staff takes advantage of it as well,” Piette said.
You can learn more about the airport here.
The program is open to certified therapy dogs and their pet parents who are willing to volunteer their time to greet travelers, especially during the busy holiday travel season, game days, and other busy events. Those interesting in taking part in the program should contact Susan Levitte at susan.levitte@browncountywi.gov.
