Flying can be a stressful experience, but to me, the airport is more stressful than the actual flying. Istanbul Airport has launched the "Therapy Dog Project," a pioneering endeavor in Türkiye aimed at enhancing the travel experience by providing support from furry companions to passengers grappling with flight-related stress. Abdülkadir Demirtaş, the Customer Experience Manager at Istanbul Airport (İGA), expressed the intention to offer a serene and stress-free journey with the inclusion of therapy dogs.

Under this initiative, five specially trained therapy dogs have commenced their duties at Istanbul Airport, accompanied by their handlers. These dogs traverse the airport premises, exuding positivity and offering support to passengers experiencing flight-related stress. Particularly during peak flight hours, they are stationed at the international terminal's outbound passenger area.

Abdülkadir Demirtaş emphasized the significance of this project, considering Istanbul Airport's status as one of the world's largest global transfer hubs, catering to millions of travelers from diverse backgrounds. He highlighted the proven benefits of human-animal interaction on factors such as blood pressure, stress, and anxiety levels, backed by scientific research.

Feedback from passengers has been positive, with one expressing satisfaction and a desire for further expansion of such initiatives. Additionally, Istanbul Airport features four pet rooms across various locations to cater to the needs of traveling animals, enhancing the overall experience for both passengers and their furry companions.

I think its a very cute idea over all 😆​