The calming affect of dogs on humans is well documented, and now one genius Aussie airport has elicited the help of a cute pooch to help travellers deal with their flying nerves — and we're strongly advocating for every airport to follow suit.

Gold Coast Airport's newest staff member, Gary the retriever, is a therapy dog used to comfort passengers.

It's all part of a wider program which engages volunteer therapy dogs to help alleviate the stress associated with travelling. See Gary in action in the TODAY segment above.

(TODAY)

"Feel free to stop in for a cuddle with the furriest members of our GCA Ambassador Team!" a sign reads at Gary's station.

Travellers are already singing the praises of Gary and his de-stressing abilities, among them frequent flyer Marion Charlton.

"Some people just get a little bit stressed when they're flying — maybe they're saying goodbye to some loved ones. Gary's got such a beautiful nature, he's here to take the stress out of all of that."

Gary's mum Ellen Thomas is an airport ambassador. When the job role of AmbassaPAW came up, she knew her little guy would be perfect for the gig.

"When the position came up they contacted me straight away because they knew what type of dog Gary was, and how well he behaved with kids and that kind of thing," Thomas said. "So he went through his therapy training, and here he is!"

"I think it's a wonderful idea," one mum said of the program. "We've actually got a special needs child ourselves so to have somebody to help calm down people when they are anxious and nervous, I think it's wonderful."

Townsville Airport has a similar program in which Tink, the Alaskan Malamute, calms nerves — and if that doesn't get the happy hormones flowing, we don't know what will.

(TODAY)

Both traveller and airline crew have been heaping attention on Gary, who's currently on duty three days a week.

Gold Coast Ambassador Tom Meath admitted Gary's "a natural".

"Yeah, he was born for this. Everybody loves Gary and Gary loves everybody, so it's a marriage made in heaven."

It's not just Aussie airports embracing the doggo volunteer trend — airports around the world are seeing the benefits of similar programs. And some aren't just limited to puppers.

Denver International Airport has the USA's largest animal therapy program featuring a Canine Airport Therapy Squad (CATS), while Los Angeles International Airport runs a Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUPS) program.

San Francisco International Airport's Wag Bridgade even features a pig named LiLou, while Cincinnati International Airport have a volunteer miniature horse, on loan from a local farmer.