Themes by tag: animals

In Kyiv, animal-assisted therapy classes are held for defenders undergoing treatment. A pilot rehabilitation project therapy sessions with animals for the military take place in one of the capital’s medical institutions. The Kyiv Zoo joined the project. (All animals are closely monitored by veterinarians and have the necessary vaccinations.)

For reference: Animal-assisted therapy is a type of therapy that incorporates interaction with animals. The therapeutic intervention aims to improve the patient’s social, emotional, or cognitive functions.

• animals
• doctors
• military
• psychological support
• Kyiv

In a training center in Kharkiv region, dogs are being trained to help to demine the Ukrainian lands. The project was launched by Anti-Terrorist Operation veteran and professional dog trainer Serhii Lukinov last November. The Ukrainian Veterans Fund helped with the funding. Currently, 5 German shepherds are being trained at the center. All of them are less than a year old. They are being taught to look for explosives.

For reference: Serhii has been working as a dog trainer for 37 years. In particular, in 2021, a man trained guide dogs. However, during russia’s full-scale invasion, Serhii once again volunteered to defend the country. The man is currently undergoing rehabilitation.

• animals
• military
• Kharkiv

The All-Ukrainian Center for the Adoption of Homeless Animals “Patron Pets Center” launched a new project entitled “Walk with me.” Its purpose is to socialize four-legged friends. Those who are willing to take part in the project can walk animals in the center of the capital every day from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

“Patron Pets Center” cooperates with volunteers who evacuate animals from regions suffering from russia’s full-scale invasion. So, for example, the Center recently sheltered more than a hundred pets from Kherson region. Volunteers also bring animals from Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions.

In Kyiv, “Patron Pets Center” provides shelter to animals, rehabilitates them and helps to find owners.

• animals
• volunteers
• Kyiv

The Hospitals project aims to help animals and evacuate them from the war zone. It is a joint initiative of the Hospitallers Medical Battalion and the Khvostati (‘Tailed animals’) NGO, which is involved in animal care and rehoming.

The project team comprises experienced veterinarians and volunteers who rescue injured animals using mobile hospital units and an evacuation bus. Subsequently, the evacuated animals found new homes in safe areas.

Over the previous two trips, the project has rescued 80 animals from the affected Kherson region.

• animals
• volunteers

Canine specialists of Base 4.5.0. the Center for Innovative Military Rehabilitation will hold canine therapy sessions in the capital. Several trained dogs were chosen for therapy: Welsh corgi Foksi and Laisve, German boxer Linda, and Yorkshire terrier Shusha. The center experts say that during their first sessions they worked with the children who had stopped speaking after the beginning of russia’s invasion. However, after working with animals, the children started talking again. Canine therapists say that working with dogs normalizes the work of the nervous system, reduces stress, conflict and anxiety.

For reference: Canine therapy is a method of positive psychosocial and physical rehabilitation influence on people with the help of specially trained dogs. It is one of the methods of zootherapy.

• animals
• casualties
• children
• psychological support
• Kyiv

In the Zhytomyr region, rehabilitation classes with horses are being held for wounded soldiers and veterans as part of the “Hippotherapy – Back in Life’s Saddle” project. The equine-assisted therapy program includes feeding the animals, engaging in activities with them, and riding with an experienced instructor. All this is free of charge. Classes are held outdoors.

For reference: Hippotherapy is a method of treatment based on human interaction with a specially trained horse adapted to the rider’s ability to master riding.

• animals
• military
• psychological support

On June 26, the equestrian sports camp, organized in Zhytomyr oblast by refugees from Kharkiv, will welcome a new group of children. The camp is designed for schoolchildren aged 10 to 17 years. For ten days, camp attendees will be taught horseback riding and how to care for horses.

As reported, the children’s equestrian sports school was damaged as a result of russia’s full-scale invasion. During the battles for Kharkiv region, the horses began to run out of food: all the hay was in the occupied territory. An enemy shell even hit the territory of the stables, but did not explode. The owner of the school, Anna, together with her family, decided to evacuate the animals from Kharkiv. Later, they found a stable near Zhytomyr, where they started all over again. 

• animals
• Zhytomyr

Mykola Mohylevskyi, a 24-year-old volunteer from Fastiv, has been to the most dangerous places on the frontline during the full-scale invasion: Chasiv Yar, Bakhmut, Lyman, Soledar and Siversk. He took everyone he could persuade to evacuate to safe places. In addition to people, Mohylevskyi had to take out animals: dogs and even cows. Mykola goes to the front line every month. Now journalists can visit him in Fastiv, Kyiv region for conversation.

• animals
• casualties
• volunteers
• Kyiv
• evacuation

The country’s only First Military Veterinary Clinic is operating in Khmelnytskyi. The clinic’s veterinarians treat both service animals and pets of internally displaced persons. Often, their patients are animals that got concussions or were wounded by shell fragments.  

Vets also travel to the frontline and de-occupied territories to rescue animals. For example, the veterinary center now shelters a fox from Bucha, which was found by local children and handed over to doctors. Despite burns covering 80% of the animal’s body, medical professionals managed to save it.

Overall, since February last year, the clinic’s specialists have helped several thousand animals.

• animals
• doctors
• Khmelnytskyi

On June 16, a veterinary clinic and a shelter for animals, founded by actor Oleksii Surovtsev, will be officially opened in Irpin. Ukrainian celebrities will attend the opening. Among other things, it will be possible to take a look at cats rescued from Kherson region.

Background: Famous Ukrainian actor Oleksii Surovtsev has been rescuing animals since the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion. (In Kyiv region, he was evacuating pets from shelled areas). Recently, the man went to Kherson region to save animals that suffered as a result of the occupiers’ blowing up of the Kakhovka HPP.

• animals
• volunteers
• Kyiv