iGA Istanbul Airport Launches Therapy Dog Program to Ease Travel Anxiety

iGA Istanbul Airport introduces a pioneering Therapy Dog Project in Türkiye to offer passengers a calming and joyful experience, aiming to reduce flight-related stress with the aid of specially trained therapy dogs.

 

iGA Istanbul Airport Introduces Therapy Dogs for a Stress-Free Journey

iGA Istanbul Airport, a major global transportation hub, has embarked on an innovative initiative to enhance the travel experience for passengers by launching the "Therapy Dog Project", the first of its kind in Türkiye. This project aims to mitigate flight-related stress among travelers by involving friendly, specially trained therapy dogs to interact with passengers within the international departures area, particularly during peak travel times.

Abdülkadir Demirtaş, the Customer Experience Manager at iGA Istanbul Airport, highlighted the importance of passenger satisfaction and the continuous efforts to cater to diverse needs. "Traveling can induce stress, and we are dedicated to creating a serene and pleasant environment for our passengers. Supported by scientific research, the presence of therapy dogs has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce stress and anxiety levels, thereby fostering a more enjoyable travel experience. Our goal is for passengers to depart our airport with positive and memorable experiences."

The project, which currently features 5 therapy dogs, is managed by a team led by Volkan Arslan, the airport's Veterinarian, overseeing the dogs' training and care.

In addition to this unique project, iGA Istanbul Airport takes pride in being pet-friendly, offering four pet rooms across the airport to accommodate the needs of travelers' pets. These rooms are furnished with amenities such as pet food, litter, and scratching boards, ensuring a comfortable and convenient experience for pets and their owners alike.

Through these initiatives, iGA Istanbul Airport continues to set new standards in providing a holistic and compassionate travel experience, emphasizing the well-being and satisfaction of all its guests.