Dogs of Oz: Gold Coast Airport therapy dog Ranji spreading love to nervous flyers

Meet Ranji - he’s a special pooch, famous across the Gold Coast for his slobbery kisses and his finely tuned nose. Here’s where you can find him.

RANJI is a special pooch and famous for spreading slobbery kisses around Gold Coast Airport.

The three-year-old french bulldog and his owner Janet Macdonald volunteer with the airport therapy dog program to support young children and nervous flyers.

Ms Macdonald said her furbaby was “an earth angel and changing one life at a time”.

Ranji was purchased by the Macdonald family after their 22-year-old son had a life-altering workplace accident.

Noah Turnbull 9 and Estella Turnbull 12 from New Zealand interact with therapy dog Ranji at Gold Coast Airport . Picture: Glenn Hampson

“He kept my son company during rehabilitation and was the best medicine,” Ms Macdonald said.

“He has brought so much joy to our family during a dark time and now it’s selfish not to share the love.

“After meeting the other therapy dog during my time working at the airport I knew that Ranji would also be perfect fit to spread love at the terminal.”

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Ranji joined the airport’s existing therapy dog Garry, a golden Labrador cross, in September 2019. Between the two dog ambassadors, Gary and Ranji, the therapy dog program operates every morning in the terminal, from Monday to Friday.

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Brianna Jade Brant, 23, from Helensvale and Rikki-Lee Clark, 22, from Oxenford fell in love with Ranji. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Ms Macdonald, who formerly worked with Gold Coast Airport security team for five years, said: “Ranji is supposed to sit in a corner and be there to support people in the queues. But since day one he has treated the terminal like his lounge room. He walks all around without a lead and can sniff out anxiety a mile off. I know when he gets a bit of speed on there is a reason.

“He will lie beside you if you have a meltdown, sit on your lap going through security if you are in a wheelchair, and lick your eyeballs.”

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Gold Coast Airport CEO Marion Charlton said the response they get from guests and staff when they spot the therapy dogs in the terminal was “incredible”.

“I love seeing the smiles,” she said.

“It’s truly making a difference.”