Baggage handler’s kind act rewarded

A baggage handler has been duly rewarded for his kindness towards animals after a video of him comforting a dog went viral.

The clip shows Virgin Australia baggage handler Chad talking to and reassuring Cooper the dog before his crate is loaded onto a plane.

Since being posted to TikTok, the clip has amassed over three million views and captured the hearts of many nationwide.

It resulted in Virgin Australia chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka flying to Perth to commemorate Chad’s hard work in person and giving him two round-trip Business Class tickets.

“I’m so excited to see great work being recognised,” she said.

Ms Hrdlicka pointed out that while Chad could not use that second seat on his own beloved dog Murphy, there has been no shortage of women inquiring about his relationship status.

“That obviously gives you the ability to bring along a friend. I know you’ve been getting lots of offers from amazing women around the world,” she said.

“So you have the option if you want.”

Chad confirmed that he was single.

He also revealed what he said to Cooper while he was loading him onto the plane.

“I was just reassuring him and asking him if he was ready to board really, just like the passengers get asked up at the gate.”

“I said ‘Coopy mate you’ll be fine, hope you have a safe flight’.”

Chad has taken to Instagram to thank everyone for their kind words and compliments, assuring all travellers he gives their pets the same special treatment.

“I ensure every animal that I come across at work gets the royal treatment,” he wrote.

“It is a scary environment for them. I try my absolute best to calm them, water them and give them some pampering before they are placed inside the aircraft.”