Airport Dog in Skopje Helps Nervous Flyers Relax

Travelers who experience anxiety about flying now have a unique opportunity to ease their stress at Skopje Airport. Nervous passengers can interact with Dino, a golden retriever stationed in the departure lounge to help them relax. Known affectionately as the ‘Zen dog,’ four-year-old Dino regularly visits Skopje Airport to provide a more relaxing and enjoyable travel experience, according to airport management. ‘We know that air travel can be stressful,’ says Magia Bajalska Georgievska, communications director of the managing company overseeing Skopje Airport. Dino walks through boarding gates, allowing passengers to pet him or take selfies before boarding their flights. Even when travelers don’t approach him, Dino attempts to engage with them, explains his trainer Vesna Kiskofska. As a golden retriever, a breed known for its friendly nature, Dino enjoys making friends. Since November, he has visited the airport dozens of times, usually during peak hours, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback each time. This program is reportedly the first of its kind in the region. Aerophobia, or an irrational fear of flying, is common among travelers, according to various studies. However, dogs seem uniquely capable of reducing human stress. A 2021 study published in Clinical Medicine Review found that assistance dogs can make patients with anxiety disorders feel safer, improve social interaction, and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.