Our regular feature, brought to you in association with Strange Nature gin from New Zealand, celebrates memorable scenes, moments, launches and campaigns related to the global aviation and travel retail sphere.
UK. Airport or AirPawt? Perhaps a little of both in today’s selection, which comes from Gatwick Airport. The London gateway last week welcomed some very special four-legged VIPs as Louise, Lily, Chip and Panache from Guide Dogs UK visited the airport for a puppy training experience.
For the second time this year, London Gatwick Airport and Guide Dogs UK teamed up to help trainee puppies gain a better understanding of the airport environment. The training is vital in the puppies’ preparations to becoming full-fledged guide dogs.
The dogs and their handlers were taken to the special assistance lounge, security, baggage claim and onboard an easyJet aircraft.
“Since 2017, we have been hosting visits for Guide Dogs UK, which allow the puppies to get a head start on handling what might otherwise be an overwhelming experience,” commented London Gatwick Accessibility Manager Anna-Ruth Cockerham.
“These visits not only provide the dogs with experience of an airport environment, but also importantly allow our colleagues to learn how we can better support them and their owners.
“Going forward, London Gatwick and our partners are committed to continuing to improve the experiences of assistance dogs and the passengers they support, through airport-wide training and improved facilities,” she concluded.
Guide Dogs UK Puppy Development Advisor Elli Cavazza added: “The team at London Gatwick has been wonderfully welcoming to our puppies and puppy raisers, providing a great way to introduce them to a different environment at a young age. This allows them to have the experience of a busy airport while they’re still in their early learning stages, meaning that the busy surroundings and unusual noises won’t be a surprise once they go on to become a working dog.”
Not only did the visit help the dogs become more familiar with the busy airport environment and structure, it also helped provide important training to airport staff on how they can better support blind passengers and their guide dogs.
The partnership underlines London Gatwick Airport’s commitment to being an accessible airport for everyone; a win-win for both man and man’s best friend. ✈
