Paws To Relax: Dogs Ease Stress At Russian Airport

[rpannier]

Russian airport terminals are buzzing this week with travelers trying to get home for the Orthodox Christmas holiday. One Moscow airport is providing a fuzzy, four-legged way to help cope with the stress.

video at link
https://www.rferl.org/a/paws-to-relax-dogs-ease-stress-at-russian-airport/30363078.html

[riversedge]

1. Lovely to see.

[dewsgirl]

2. What a wonderful program.❤

Side note: the head of that organization, looks exactly like a young Putin with a beard.

[catbyte]

3. There was a Weimeraner named Heidi working along with an Information Officer at DTW

(Detroit Metro) when I flew to Arizona in December. She wore a little "It's OK To Pet Me" harness and was quite the celebrity at the Starbucks near the Delta gate we were at. She was wonderful and clearly loved the attention she was receiving.

[rpannier]

4. In Japan animal station masters are quite common

Their popularity saved a few stations because tourists flocked to these places to see the animals and then spent money in the town

[catbyte]

5. Wasn't there a cat (Tama?) that literally saved a small rail line? I think he passed away but his

legacy lives on in another station kitty.

[rpannier]

8. That is correct. Shee saved the Kishi Station

In 2013, Tama was promoted to Honorary President of Wakayama Electric Rail for life
Tama died in 2015. A few thousand people attended her funeral
Her funeral was performed in Shinto Ritual and she received the status of Shinto goddess
I think Nitama is now station master
Her funeral is on youtube

[tblue37]

6. During finals week a therapy dog organization brings dogs to the library here at KU to

students decompress a bit. It's very nice.

[smirkymonkey]

7. What a great idea!

I hate to fly, but sometimes I have to for work. I would love to spend some time with a therapy dog before boarding the plane.

[Disaffected]

9. I have a therapy dog.

My organization goes to hospitals, schools, old folks homes, shelters and, the local airport. Very rewarding...