For two months, five dogs kept on a leash by their masters have taken turns to bring relaxation and comfort to travelers who are busy, tense or saddened by having to leave their loved ones at different places in the mega airport of Istanbul, In Turkey.
Better than a pet: Cookie6 years and Alitayear and a half, welcomes restlessly anxious passengers at Istanbul airport, one of the busiest in the world.
Generally located just before the police checkpoint, five dogs, kept on a leash by their masters, take turns to bring relaxation and comfort to travelers who are busy, tense or saddened by having to leave their loved ones.
Ali Bahtiyari, a young Iranian on his first trip abroad, admits his surprise when he encountered the cheerful Cookiea brown Lagotto Romagnolo with thick curly fur, and Alitaa black and white border collie with bright eyes.
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“I just spent a few days in Istanbul, I walked a lot and I’m exhausted. But seeing these dogs boosted my endorphins and I’m not tired at all anymore!”, smiles the young 30-year-old as he caresses the two friends before catching his return flight to Tehran.
In the two months since the experience was launched, the dogs and their companions have roamed various locations in the mega airport, which welcomed more than 76 million passengers last year.
“We launched this therapy dog project to give our customers a better travel experience and reduce their flight-related stress if they experience any,” indicates toAgence France-Presse (AFP) Volkan Arslan, veterinarian and project coordinator.
“It’s so adorable, it relieves stress”
The five dogs incl Cookie And Alita, underwent rigorous training before patrolling domestic and international terminals. They will soon be joined by two new four-legged companions who are completing their preparatory training.
Everyone works five days a week, a maximum of three hours a day, but the schedule is adapted to their needs.
“ Alita is very energetic and loves to spend time with guests so we can stretch her schedule, Volkan Arslan continues. On the other hand, Cookie needs rest and doesn’t like effort so we ease his schedule. »
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To the coach CookieIsmail Seyhan, schedules vary depending on the health and psychology of the dogs: “He who works today rests tomorrow.” Fatima Bouzerda quickly returns to passport control and suddenly changes direction and stops at the sight of Cookie. “This is the first time I’ve seen this. I’ve heard of cat cafes, but never in an airport, exclaimed the Parisian traveler as he played with the dog. It’s so adorable, it relieves stress. »
“It’s very motivating”
The customers’ reactions are all positive, assures Abdulkadir Demirtas, Customer Manager at Istanbul Airport. “My favorite part is seeing kids and families who are initially hesitant to approach the dogs and start playing with them within seconds. We’re happy about that and that’s really the desired outcome.”
Volkan Gul, the coachAlitaremembers a crying passenger: “I told her she could pet the dog – which she did. And she started smiling. »
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In the United States, dozens of airports have so-called therapy dogs, which appeared after the attacks of September 11, 2001, with the mission of relaxing passengers worried about air travel.
Besides airports, therapy or assistance dogs are also trained to interact with people in hospitals, libraries and schools. And according to Volkan Arslan, his people are already making a difference at this very busy airport in Istanbul. “It’s very motivating. We have passengers who not only suffer from the stress of flying, but also from dog phobias. With us, they take the first step to overcome it. »
