While dozens of airports across the U.S. have embraced therapy dogs as a means to surprise passengers and help them reduce their stress levels, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has set out to achieve the same goal with a far less traditional animal.
The midwest airport has teamed up with southwest Ohio's nonprofit Seven Oaks Farm to cheer up travelers with miniature therapy horses twice a month, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
On each visit, a few of the farm's miniature horses are led through the airport by Seven Oaks Farm president and founder Lisa Moad, who has trained the horses to remain calm amid the sometimes hectic environment.
"It's just to ease anxiety levels, put smiles on faces. Clearly, that's working," the airport's senior manager of customer relations Wendi Orlando told NPR. "When you look at the passengers walking by, it just never gets old. They love seeing the horses."
Passengers are encouraged to interact with the animals who can be petted and even posed with for photos.
According to assistant psychology professor-educator and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Melissa Robin Shyan-Norwalt, petting an animal has been proven to reduce stress and even lower blood pressure.
"Not only does the animal like it, but it does do positive things for humans in a physiological way," she told the Enquirer. "Seeing a miniature horse is kind of unusual and fun, so it gets people out of their own worries."
The benefits can range from calming someone's nerves before they board their flight to preventing an outburst at the ticket counter.
In addition to visiting the airport, the horses are brought to nursing homes, schools and other events where their presence can have a positive impact on people.
[READMORE] READ MORE: Pre-flight Jitters? 5 Benefits of Airport Therapy Dogs [/READMORE]
The Enquirer reported 25 of the farm's miniature horses are used for the program, which has them out and about as many as five days a week. (The busy horses are currently booked through 2017.)
Last year, San Francisco International Airport added a pig to its Animal Assisted Therapy program. Just like Kentucky's miniature horses, the Juliana breed pig named LiLou is dressed up in entertaining costumes for surprise appearances at the airport.
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