Psychotherapy dogs have appeared at Istanbul Airport: they are designed to calm passengers, distract them while waiting for the flight. This is the first project of its kind!
The Psychotherapy Dog Program was launched as a pilot project to help passengers suffering from stress and anxiety. A team of five specially trained dogs was created to work in airport environments where there are loud noises, crowds and other distractions. All dogs belong to friendly breeds, have been trained to feel comfortable in the premises of the air harbor, and have received the appropriate certificates; The dogs are looked after by the airport veterinarian, who makes sure that the dogs do not "overwork" and do not get tired.
The main dog on the team is Cookie of the Lagotto Romagnolo breed, who works in tandem with a border collie named Alita. They wear official badges and uniforms to indicate their status as airport employees. During the day, from 10:00 to 16:00, they spend time with passengers in the international departure hall: airport guests can caress, stroke and play with four-legged psychologists to relax and get positive emotions. According to the organizers of the project, travel can cause stress, so the airport staff tries to create a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. Many scientific studies have proven the positive effects of human-animal interactions on blood pressure and stress levels.
The pilot project received positive feedback, and therefore the airport administration plans to extend the program for a longer period than originally planned.
