EIGHT specialist dogs, who are in training to assist people with autism, arrived at Dublin Airport recently on a familiarisation and socialisation visit.
All the dogs were accompanied by their minders from My Canine Companion, a national charity that provides highly trained and skilled service dogs to children and young adults living with autism. The visit was aimed partly at familiarising the dogs with a busy airport environment. Their presence also highlighted Dublin Airport’s Important Flyer Autism Programme which provides special lanyards and wristbands to passengers in need of specific assistance.
Dublin Airport first published an Autism Visual Guide in 2008, which received excellent feedback from parents planning on travelling through the airport. “For any person with autism, travelling through an airport can be a daunting experience,” said daa customer experience manager Liz Kavanagh. “The feedback from families in regard to the assistance they have received at Dublin Airport has been very positive. They are really grateful for the programme.”