Solutions from Ukraine: Zakarpattia region implements dog therapy to rehabilitate soldiers

In Uzhhorod, a project is underway to aid war veterans in combating psychological trauma through the assistance of four-legged companions.

Fakty writes about this.

What is the problem?

The war experience affects a person on many levels, including the brain, thoughts, spirit, and relationships with family and friends.

During the war, the reaction of the human psyche is different: from moderate and temporary stress to severe mental injuries that have negative consequences for health, including depression, abuse of psychotropic substances, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What's more, a study conducted by scientists from the US proves that the traumatic events of war can have long-term effects on health and well-being.

What is the solution?

Dogs can not only protect and rescue but also heal.

In Uzhhorod, a project is being implemented to support war veterans in the fight against psychological trauma with the help of four-legged friends.

^{Photo: Svitlana Kovbytsia}

How does it work?

In the canine center of the Zakarpattia police, professional canine specialists have been training three Malinois Belgian shepherd puppies for canistherapy for two months.

The playful and active therapy dogs have already met their new owners. They will now help the defenders move away from the fear and anxiety experienced in the war as quickly as possible and adapt to a peaceful life.

"Canistherapy is used in many countries of the world, in particular in the USA after the war in Vietnam. Today, we are the first in Ukraine to try to implement canistherapy. And we can see that there is a result. Puppies will become real helpers of veterans," Viktor Mykyta, head of the Zakarpattia Regional Military Administration, said.

^{Photo: Svitlana Kovbytsia}

According to him, psychologists usually use this type of therapy when working with military personnel during sessions.

"We decided to go further – to raise and train dogs to give them to veterans for free," said the head of the regional military administration.

Three Malinois puppies were selected for canister therapy. Volunteers bought them for veterans.

Two boys and a girl, they are almost five months old. Professional dog trainers trained them for two months. They were played with, walked with, and taught to recognize sounds and be friendly to people.

"The Malinois is a very hyperactive breed of dog. It is interested in interaction with people; it is interested in play. We raise the puppies to be calm and balanced in relation to people," dog trainer Viktoria Haidosh says.

The training focuses on having the dogs socialize with people, ensuring that the veteran experiences nothing but enjoyment, unconditional love, and support while walking with their dog.

While the therapy dogs were being trained, veterans who wanted to receive them for free submitted an online application on the Help Zakarpattia portal. Specialists talked to them.

Therapy dogs are given to the families of those defenders who are most in need of rehabilitation.

The puppies have already met their new owners. Cynologists teach defenders how to communicate with a medicine dog. After training and getting to know each other, the four-legged friends will live in the heroes' families.

A soldier with the call sign Deputy, a fighter in one of the special forces, served in the most challenging areas of the front line. He witnessed the horrors of war firsthand. However, a brave and strong man transforms instantly in the presence of a Malinois puppy. He becomes joyful and radiates happiness, with a smile that never leaves his face.

^{Deputy with a therapy dog. Photo: Svitlana Kovbytsia}

A specially trained therapy dog perfectly copes with its task and heals the hero's soul.

His family already had a dog of this breed at home. Then it was just a friend. Now – a real four-legged doctor who will help the man overcome anxieties and fears and adapt to a peaceful life.

"I am thrilled! I really like this breed of dog. And in general, they are one of the most intelligent animals. They are dogs for the soul. Because they are active, they do not let any stupid thoughts enter their heads. They only show sincere, pleasant feelings with their emotions," says the defender.

Another puppy got into a military family. Dmytro, with the call sign Troll, has been at war since 2015.

The former entrepreneur was mobilized as a border guard in the Donetsk region. In 2019, he resigned from the service. A full-scale war caught him in Sweden. The man worked as a truck driver.

Troll went straight back to Ukraine and was already engaged in war by February 28, 2022. He was fighting in Bakhmut. He returned home at the end of July, and his combat medic's wife joined him. She recalls being the only woman in their entire battalion. The couple confesses that they have been longing for a pet for quite some time and are now excited to have a loyal companion and helper.

^{Troll with a four-legged doctor. Photo: Svitlana Kovbytsia}

"Emotions overflow. Yes! What, can't you see? There are no explosions behind, emotional ones?" – says the Troll happily.

Defenders admit that tailed therapists help them from the first seconds of contact with them:

• calm down
• relax
• reduce the level of anxiety,
• improve mood.

This is what this therapy should be.

Dogs help:

• overcome stress
• reveal feelings and emotions,
• speed up social adaptation.
• The Zakarpattia authorities and volunteers promise to continue the Dog for a Veteran program.

New puppies will be trained to support the defenders and their families and help them overcome the effects of war.

For reference:

Canistherapy is a method of positive influence of specially trained and selected dogs on the psycho-emotional state of people. This is a new rehabilitation method for Ukraine. It is borrowed from America, where dogs are successfully used in work with psychological injuries in the military.

It should be noted that earlier, the National Guard told how canistherapy affects the treatment of military personnel.

Rubryka also learned how certified therapy dogs Ash, Berta, Motiko, and Linda help veterans and their families in Zaporizhzhia. Read more in our article: " Animal-assisted Therapy and military rehabilitation: How Man's best friend can heal the Scars of War."