Children In Ukraine Who Are Traumatized By The War Are Comforted Through Dog Therapy

The vital and delicate role of consoling youngsters in Ukraine who have been traumatized by Russia’s war falls to Bice, an American pit bull terrier.

This week, the amusing eight-year-old canine showed up at a facility for rehabilitation on the outskirts of Kyiv, ready to begin his tasks.

Twelve kids sat around a table listening to psychologist Oksana Sliepora as Bice waited in the hallway outside what appeared to be a classroom filled with books and artwork.

She inquired, “Who has a dog,” and numerous hands went up as cries of “Me, me, me!” filled the room.

One boy identified his dog as Stitch while another boy said “Tank,” adding that he has a total of five dogs but had forgotten their names. The entire group started laughing.

The seven girls and nine boys, whose ages range from an infant baby to a young woman of 18, initially give the impression that they are students taking in a lesson. But they have unique tales: Some are the sons, daughters, brothers, or sisters of troops who are on the front lines or were murdered on them; others saw Russian soldiers invade their hometowns and beat their families.

They meet at the Center for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation, a government-run community center where those who have experienced traumatic events following Russia’s invasion in February can receive support. Any person who has been impacted by the war in any manner receives regular psychiatric counseling from the staff.

They previously used horses, but now they are including canine therapy.

The center was founded in 2000 as part of an effort to provide psychological support to people affected, directly or indirectly, by the explosion at the nuclear plant in Chernobyl in 1986. It is situated in Boyarka, a suburb about 12 miles (20 km) southwest of Kyiv.

Now the emphasis is on those impacted by the fighting. The two-story building is currently one of the few places with light and heat in an area where other parts are currently without power as a result of Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

Ms. Sliepora asked the youngsters if they wanted to see someone once they had gathered, some of them were donning colorful blue or red Christmas hats.

Answer: “Yes, they did,” was the reply. The door slid open. The youngsters’ cheeks shone. They grinned.

Bice, the tail-wagging therapist, then entered.

The dog’s handler and owner, Darina Korozei, invited the kids to come one at a time and ask him to perform a few tricks.

He sat. On his hind legs, he stood. He either rolled over or extended a paw. A group hug and some delectable sweets were given to him. Bice was touched and hugged by everyone for more than 30 minutes without ever barking.

It appeared as if nothing else mattered or needed to be worried about at that very moment.

Ms. Sliepora is utilizing a dog as part of her job for the first time. She said: “I read a lot of literature that working with dogs, with four-legged rehabilitators, helps children reduce stress, increase stress resistance, and reduce anxiety.”

The psychologist noticed that some kids are afraid of loud noises, such as the sound of an aircraft taking off or someone closing a window. Some fall to the ground or begin to inquire as to whether a bomb shelter is nearby.

A brother and sister from Kupyansk, a city in Kharkiv’s eastern district, were among the kids who saw Russian forces come into their home with machine guns, seize their grandfather, place a sack over his head and beat him, according to Ms. Sliepora.

Each youngster uniquely experiences psychological trauma, she continued.

Although the youngsters didn’t look anxious, the reality is nevertheless a part of life.