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Essex Therapy Dogs

Essex Therapy Dogs

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Meet the Therapy Dogs squad

London Southend Airport is working in partnership with Essex Therapy Dogs to bring wet noses and wagging tails to the terminal in an effort to help reduce anxiety for some of our passengers… and be a great excuse for a doggo cuddle for those who want one.

Providing a bit of furry support for some of our most nervous fliers, our trained four-legged friends will roam the terminal every week, accompanied by their handlers – who, luckily, are just as friendly.

The Therapy Dogs squad are a pawsome addition to our customer service team, and add a unique experience to your journey through London Southend Airport.

Make sure you share your pictures on social media if you see any of the Essex Therapy Dog Crew in the terminal. Use the hashtag #EssexTherapyDogs.

Meet the team

Nala, Essex Therapy Dog

Nala

Oh, Nala. The most loving, gentle and patient Golden Retriever. She’ll welcome affection from everyone and has a tendency to want to hold your hand! She is positively unique with one ear smaller than the other, and a love of swimming and long hikes. She looks forward to meeting you all on Thursdays and Sundays.

Charlie

Friendly, gentle and real cuddle-lover, Charlie is here for all the attention! He doesn’t look like your average labradoodle – but he’s an adorable scruffy pooch. He visits most Fridays and Sundays to welcome our passengers.

Charlie, Essex Therapy Dog
Bobby, Essex Therapy Dog

Bobby

What a terror – oops, we mean *terrier! Little Bobby is a West Highland Terrier; a local boy from Southend-on-Sea. He loves jumping in puddles and streams, and adores being fussed over, especially by children. If you have a treat to hand, he’s prone to perform a few tricks. You can see Bobby in the terminal every Friday.

Jazz

This is Jazz, a Papillon Phalene which means ‘night-moth’ in French due to their floppy ears. Rehomed and now happily living with Merlin – and four cats! – Jazz loves to visit the airport on a Friday… he also loves his ball, as every dog should.

Jazz, Essex Therapy Dog
Merlin, Essex Therapy Dog

Merlin

Great big teddy bear Merlin can be stubborn at times, but has a lovely nature at heart. He has passed the Kennel Clubs Good Citizens Gold Standard, so is very well trained and approachable. Would you just look at that face? You can meet Merlin with his best friend Jazz on a Friday.

Harley

Utterly loveable, that’s Harley. Don’t be put off by his size, Harley has a fantastic temperament and loves everyone – dogs or humans! He lives with little sister Lola, a French Bulldog, who definitely rules the roost despite being much smaller. You can have the ultimate doggo cuddle with Rottweiler Harley every Monday. 

Harley, Essex Therapy Dog
Oscar, Essex Therapy Dog

Oscar

Often confused with a Labradoodle, Oscar is in fact a Spanish Water Dog. He likes nothing better than for his belly to be rubbed, which works well as people tend to enjoy stroking his fur… he’s been likened to a bath rug or fluffy blanket! Despite a particularly cheeky nature, Oscar visits Writtle University to calm students before exams and to help with mental health and wellbeing. You can see Oscar at the airport every Wednesday.

Please note that scheduled visits are subject to change.

For more information please visit the Essex Therapy Dogs website.