He found salvation in his dogs – all nine of them – which gave him both comfort and a routine.
In the summer of 2023, he suggested to airport management that he bring the dogs to the terminal.
The response was a clear yes.
"Many struggle with anxiety and fear of flying, and airports are often high-stress environments. I know firsthand how much my dogs have helped me, and I hoped they could do the same for others," he says.
Positive feedback
Bergvin owns nine dogs but usually brings four of them to the airport on a rotating basis.
The dogs are friendly, calm, and used to being around people.
Meeting with Science Norway, Bergvin has brought Lilla, a two-and-a-half-year-old female Shetland Sheepdog.
"The dogs have become an anchor in my life. Bringing them to work and interacting with people has given me space to breathe and recharge," he says.
Bergvin says that families with young children and nervous flyers are among those who often seek out the dogs.
Annonse
Travellers who feel anxious or simply love dogs also often stop by.
Henrik Bergvin describes the airport as a great place where he can meet people and recharge. It means a lot to him to bring joy to others with his dogs.(Photo: Emilie Wee)
Not everyone approaches on their own. Over time, Bergvin has learned to notice those who might need it the most.
"Sometimes I walk over and ask if they'd like to pet the dog," he says. "I often see people’s mood change within just a few minutes. Just seeing a dog makes them smile."
Even the airport staff have said the dogs have a positive effect.
"In a busy work environment where everything moves fast and interactions become routine, the dogs offer something completely different," he says.
Bergvin is currently the only person in Norway using a therapy dog at an airport.
However, he notes that therapy dogs are more commonly used in hospitals and nursing homes, and several airports abroad have adopted similar programmes.
"If it were up to me, there would be a therapy dog at every single airport," he says.
What do we really know about the effects of animals?
According to Professor Deborah Wells at Queen’s University Belfast, there is considerable evidence that being around animals can have a calming effect on humans.
She has done extensive research on animal behaviour and the impact of pets on human health.
"Stroking an animal, looking directly at an animal, or
simply being in a presence of an animal, can have a calming effect on humans,
helping to lower blood pressure and heart rate," says Wells.
This is especially true in situations where people are feeling stressed or anxious.
"For example, one study found that women required to
perform a challenging mental arithmetic exercise were better buffered from
stress in the presence of their pet dog than the presence of a supportive
friend," she says.
Research has shown that seeing an animal, or being near one, can reduce stress.(Photo: Alina Troeva / Shutterstock / NTB)
Even viewing pictures and videos of animals can have a similar effect on us, according to Wells.
In one of her own studies, people who watched videos of monkeys, fish, and birds had a lower stress response than those who watched videos of humans.
The body responds within minutes
Wells points to several possible reasons why encounters with animals affect us this way.
Being around them slows heart rate and lowers blood pressure, making us feel calmer.
"It's also possible that these sorts of interaction lead to the release of
endorphins and neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine," she says.
She places particular emphasis on oxytocin, often referred to as the 'love hormone.'
"Oxytocin is known to reduce stress, cortisol levels, and improve mood," she says.
But not everyone responds to animals the same way, Wells notes.
Animals can help many people feel calmer, though individual differences may influence the effect.(Photo: Shutterstock / NTB)
"Individual
differences have a large role to play in shaping the types of health advantage
that someone gains from an animal. Animal lovers typically gain more short-term health benefits than people
with lower levels of interest in animals," says Wells.
Personality also appears to be a factor. In a 2024 study, Wells found that people with high levels of neuroticism tend to form stronger bonds with animals than those with lower levels of the trait.
Animal-assisted therapy shows promising results
In a systematic review published in 2024, researchers examined 16 studies on animal-assisted therapy – a treatment approach where animals are actively involved in promoting physical or mental health.
Several of the studies reported improvements in symptoms of depression and neurological disorders, and all of them noted a reduction in participants' stress and anxiety levels.
Several studies have found that using animals in therapy can provide various health benefits.(Photo: Shutterstock / NTB)
Similar findings are presented in a Norwegian master's thesis from 2025, submitted at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).
Eight professionals with hands-on experience in dog-assisted therapy were interviewed about their insights and observations.
They shared that interactions with dogs could help reduce stress and anxiety, create a sense of safety, and make it easier for people to open up during conversations.
The research is still limited
Although there is growing evidence that animals can have a positive effect on us, Wells emphasises that research in the field is still limited.
"Most
of the studies that have explored the calming effects of animals are very
short-term in nature, usually collecting physiological or psychological data
before and immediately after interactions with an animal," she says.
Long-term research is still lacking, and many questions remain unanswered.
"It's well recognised that more empirical research is needed to explore these
interventions, with a focus on animal welfare and the longer-term impacts of
animals for human health and wellbeing," she says.
Fangen, T. N. 'Helsefremming gjennom hundeassistert behandling: Behandlernes erfaringer' (Health promotion through dog-assisted therapy: Practitioners' experiences), Master's thesis at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), 2025.
