Istanbul Airport launches therapy dog program to reduce stress among passengers

Turkey's Istanbul Airport has been running a therapy dog program for a month to help reduce stress and anxiety amongst passengers passing through its terminals.

Reuters

Stressed before a big flight? Therapy dogs are now on hand at Istanbul Airport to help calm the nerves of tense travelers.

Photographs: March 11, 2024/REUTERS/Umit Bektas

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The airport has been running the program for the past month to help reduce stress and anxiety amongst passengers passing through its terminals.

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Kneeling to pet therapy pooch, Kuki, traveller Anastasia Podmazova praised the service.

"It relaxes me. I love animals. It is very good," she said.

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Following positive feedback from passengers, airport operator IGA wants to expand the project, raising the number of dogs on hand to comfort travelers from five to 10, said Abdulkadir Demirtaş, a customer experience manager.

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