With New Year’s Eve just a day away, preparations are underway at the Scandic hotel at Landvetter Airport, Gothenburg, to welcome over 200 canine guests and their owners. Tents, agility courses, cones, obstacles, dog food, and other supplies are being unloaded to create a dog-friendly haven within the hotel’s 150 soundproofed rooms. This elaborate setup, organized with the help of local volunteers, aims to provide a safe and enjoyable New Year’s experience for dogs, many of whom are frightened by fireworks. The event includes a range of activities, from agility competitions and consultations with a dog psychologist to educational sessions about the benefits of therapy dogs and various enrichment exercises. A special New Year’s Eve buffet will be served, allowing owners and their dogs to dine together, albeit with separate menus. This is the fourth year the Scandic hotel has hosted this unique New Year’s event, highlighting a growing trend in pet-friendly holiday celebrations.
Across the parking lot, the Landvetter Airport Hotel is also preparing to accommodate 150 dogs for New Year’s Eve. Recognizing the widespread anxiety fireworks cause for many dogs, the airport hotel offers a similar program, focusing on physical and mental activities to keep the dogs calm and occupied. These activities include body control exercises, scent work, a photo booth, grooming services, and a three-course meal for the dogs. By providing a structured and engaging environment, both hotels aim to minimize stress and anxiety in their canine guests leading up to the evening’s fireworks displays. The proximity to the airport, where fireworks are strictly prohibited, further enhances the sense of safety and security for the dogs and their owners.
The increasing demand for these specialized New Year’s Eve accommodations highlights the growing awareness of noise phobia in dogs. While regulations regarding fireworks have tightened in Sweden since 2002, requiring permits for firecrackers and specific training for rockets, the law still allows for interpretation. The current legislation prohibits firework use if it poses a risk of harm or significant inconvenience, considering the time, location, and other circumstances. However, the Swedish Kennel Club advocates for stricter regulations, citing that a third of dogs in Sweden suffer from noise phobia, with around 35,000 requiring medication during fireworks displays.
Line Steffensen, who runs the Landvetter Dog Center, emphasizes the varying effects of fireworks on dogs, ranging from mild anxiety to full-blown panic. She notes that some dogs try to escape, while others experience anxiety attacks and tremble uncontrollably. Steffensen, who is involved in organizing the activities at the Scandic hotel, highlights the advantage of being located on airport grounds, where fireworks are banned, providing a quieter environment for the dogs. She points out that traditional methods of comforting dogs, like plugging their ears with cotton, may not be effective for those already traumatized by fireworks, as even slight changes in air pressure can trigger anxiety. The early onset of fireworks displays, often starting during daylight hours, further underscores the need for safe and quiet spaces for noise-sensitive dogs.
Despite the potential for noise and disruption, the Scandic hotel has successfully managed these events in previous years. Roger Svensson, the hotel’s property and security manager, acknowledges that occasional barking is inevitable but emphasizes that shy dogs tend to retreat to their rooms. The presence of dog experts, including members of the local dog training club, helps to ensure a calm and controlled environment. The hotel implements rigorous cleaning procedures, including allergy sanitation, and designates an entire floor as dog-free to accommodate guests with allergies. This meticulous planning and management have allowed the hotel to cater to both dog owners and other guests without significant issues.
The popularity of these dog-friendly New Year’s Eve packages is evident in the early bookings and repeat customers. Victoria Wallén, the reception manager and a dog owner herself, mentions that some guests travel long distances, even from other parts of the country, to participate. The fact that some guests book for the following year upon checkout demonstrates the high demand and satisfaction with these specialized services. The trend extends beyond these two hotels, with the Swedish Kennel Club listing around twenty accommodations across the country that offer firework-adapted environments for New Year’s Eve. The inclusion of dog treat samples in the rooms further highlights the growing ”dog hotel” business and the increasing effort to cater to the needs of dog owners and their pets during the often-stressful holiday season. This reflects a broader societal shift towards greater consideration for animal welfare and the recognition of pets as integral members of families.
