13 November 2020
Workplace welfare dogs are spreading the word about the Air Force’s centenary year with newly branded coats, while continuing to support Air Force members.
Under the Air Force Workplace Welfare Dog Program, Air Force has partnered with Integra Service Dogs Australia to supply and train labrador dogs to work with, and support, chaplains in their day-to-day role supporting Air Force members.
The labradors are typically 18-24 months of age and are socialised and trained to work in office settings and urban environments.
The dogs stay with their partnered chaplain, travelling with them to base each day.
CEO and co-founder of Integra Service Dogs Australia, Ben Johnson, said dogs had a natural tendency to improve morale and part of their training was to learn how to greet members of Air Force when a chaplain meets personnel.
“These wonderful dogs are trained to assist the chaplain in their conversations and daily support for members of Air Force,” Mr Johnson said
“These dogs often serve as an invaluable ice-breaker to a conversation with Air Force members and also provide adjunct clinical support, in some settings, to help a member relax or manage highly stressful discussions or situations.”
There is an intensive training program to get the dogs conditioned for their role, as well as ensuring they are matched well with their chaplain.
“The initial intensive socialisation training is for five days, followed by periodic training over the following months," Mr Johnson said.
“There is also training for the chaplains so they can learn how to understand the dog's body language and behaviour, and how to maximise the effectiveness of work and rest periods for the dog.
“It’s vital to ensure the handler [chaplain] understands how to safely operate and manage the dog in transporting it between home, places of work and points of operation around a base.
“They learn the skills to manage the dog to go to a place, to train the dog to lie at someone’s feet and also to be patted to provide support.”
RAAF bases Tindal, Pearce and Edinburgh have workplace welfare dogs, supplied by Integra.
They now are decked out in Air Force 2021 coats to share the message of next year’s Air Force centenary.
You can follow Integra Service Dogs Australia on Facebook and Instagram.
Planning is underway for the commemoration of the Royal Australian Air Force’s formation in March 1921 and further information is available on the Royal Australian Air Force Turns 100 webpage.
