There’s nothing like the fear of flying to ground the excitement of your travel plans. Rather than looking forward to your long-awaited trip, you start to feel dread as the day approaches. As you try to navigate busy airports, stress levels quickly rise when faced with crowds, queues, delays, and the constant noise — and for up to 40% of adults in the U.S., the fear of flying itself adds another layer of tension. Despite flying statistically being one of the safest ways to travel, that offers no comfort when fear grips you and the familiar signs of anxiety kick in. You may experience anything from butterflies in the tummy to a full-blown panic attack, which is enough to put you off flying altogether.
This is why the team at Norfolk International Airport in Virginia has come up with their genius Welcome Waggin’ Therapy Dog Program. Officially launched in October 2025, the Southeastern airport has introduced a team of furry stress-busters to the terminal to welcome travelers. This includes a yellow Labrador named Arlo, a husky-Pomeranian cross called Pixie, and a coonhound-Labrador mix named Rocco. Along with their experienced handlers, certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs organization, they roam throughout the airport. These dogs greet visitors with their happy faces and wagging tails, much to the delight of the anxious travelers queueing up to pet them. With more dogs expected to join them in the future, your airport experience can only get better. “The dogs bring so much joy, comfort, and calm to the airport when people see them,” said project coordinator Tricia Hodges to 13News Now (via YouTube). The friendly faces at Norfolk are part of a growing global trend that recognizes the calming effect of therapy dogs, who are making the airport experience a lot more joyful.
How therapy dogs help anxious travelers feel calm
Forever faithful, dogs have been our loyal companions for thousands of years, but the concept of emotional support animals is fairly new. The idea of pet therapy came about in the 1950s from child psychologist Boris Levinson, who noticed how his own dog comforted patients during sessions. He later wrote books on the subject and is believed to have influenced how animal-assisted therapy is positively received today. Today, animals are a common sight in hospitals, schools, and nursing homes, bringing emotional support wherever they go. Now, with their growing popularity in airports, anxious passengers around the world can enjoy the same benefits before boarding their flights.
Studies show that animal-assisted therapy can help lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol levels, and slow down heart rate. Petting them releases mood-boosting serotonin, which can help ground nervous passengers, improving the overall experience for both them and airport staff. And Norfolk isn’t the only airport to embrace the positive impact of dog therapy. Los Angeles International Airport introduced the PUP Program as far back as 2013, and now has over 80 therapy dogs ready and waiting to calm anxious travelers. This initiative has been fundamental in assisting 91 airports around the world with starting up their own airport dog therapy program. And if you’re passing through Denver International Airport, you may even come across rabbits and guinea pigs who will happily help you chill out in the specially designated animal therapy zones, surely making it one of the coolest airports in the world.
How to stay calm during your flight
Those doting doggies may help ease your tension even in the most stressful airports, but you want to stay relaxed when you’re in the air, too. Luckily, there are plenty of other ways to destress both before takeoff and during the flight. As simple as it may sound, deep breathing is one of the most effective ways to stay calm. Focusing on breathing slowly in through the nose and out through the mouth stops you from concentrating on other, less welcome thoughts and keeps anxiety from taking over. As tempting as it may be to knock back a few shots of brandy, it’s not the best remedy. Alcohol is a stimulant and instead of calming you down, it can raise your heartbeat, making you feel more on edge. Sipping water is a much better idea, keeping you hydrated throughout the flight…