Dogs at the airport: iGA Istanbul Airport pilots therapy dog project to reduce flight stress

iGA Istanbul Airport has launched a pilot project under which specially trained therapy dogs interact with passengers at the airport and offer them support for flight-related stress. The dogs are on duty in the international departures area during the day, especially during peak hours of flights.

Therapy Dog Project is the first of its kind in Türkiye. The coordination of the project, which initially involves five dogs, including the training and care of the dogs, is carried out by a team led by Volkan Arslan, the Veterinarian at iGA Istanbul Airport.

Research has shown that interaction with trained support animals can help to relieve stress. (Image credit: Helena Lopes via Pexels)

As a pet-friendly airport, iGA Istanbul Airport has a total of four pet rooms, one in the check-in islands area on the departing passenger floor, two additional pet rooms after passport control and one on the arrivals floor, to meet the needs of the pets traveling through the airport. All the pet rooms are equipped with products such as cat and dog food, litter, cat scratching boards and various other products to meet the basic needs of the passengers’ furry travel companions.