United Airlines' dog therapy to ease travel stress

In a bid to keep its passengers more relaxed and make the waiting period at airports more comfortable, United Airlines is bringing air travel to the dogs. United Airlines is positioning cadres of friendly and trained dogs at select airports to make its passengers free from stress during the holiday travel season.

There's much more to expect from airlines other than refreshments. Going by the belief that dogs make people happy. United Airlines wants to keep its passengers at ease, while waiting at the airports.

United Airlines wants to offer its customers more than cookies, coffee and operational performance. Keeping trained dogs mostly golden retrievers at major airports in the US, according to a report by Forbes.

The seven airports are Chicago O'Hare, Cleveland Hopkins, Denver International, Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles International, Newark International and Washington Dulles. This new service is available during 21-23 December. The timings are from morning 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm.

United Airlines is looking for ways to take the stress out of travel for its passengers. Mark Krolick, Managing Director (Marketing), United Airlines, said: "We launched this program last year to help take some of the stress out of holiday travel for our customers. During the holidays, we tend to have a lot of people who are not used to traveling as much and not as experienced in traveling through the airports."

CNN Money reports that United Airlines is keeping over 230 trained dogs at the seven airports to keep passengers in a more relaxed state, while waiting at the airport. Veterinary consultants say that petting a dog releases oxytocin.

Spending time with dogs reduces stress significantly. It also helps people breathe easier and lowers blood pressure as well. United Airlines is ensuring trained dogs available across the airport, wherever passengers move around. The airline keeps trained dogs especially at the gates, where passengers spend most of the waiting time, according to a report by NewsChannel 4.

United Airlines launched this service for the first time during the last holiday season. Air travel is forecast to be busier this season. The air traffic volume is forecast to be 38 million passengers during 18 December 2015 and 3 January 2016.

The idea flashed about two years ago, when Krolick's four-year-old son had surgery at Edward Hospital in Naperville III. The hospital management helped children deal with stress by keeping trained dogs. Krolick thought when it works with patients at hospitals, why can't it be at airports for the passengers.