Unconditional Love: How Dogs Are Healing the Hearts of Children in Ukraine

Odesa, Ukraine – A library in Odesa is full of children accompanied by their parents, though they are not there to scour the shelves for books. Today is a special day for them, the books are left untouched as they await the arrival of four-legged friends. Most of the attendees are strangers to one another, and the room is quiet as they wait for the event to begin.

The children eventually gather around waiting for the long-anticipated arrival of two furry friends. Initially apprehensive to talk or mingle, the atmosphere shifts completely once the discussion moves to their pets. Suddenly, the children are talkative, eagerly sharing stories about their beloved cats and dogs – their names, their colours, and how they love to play and take them for walks.

This is one of several events organized by IOM to provide comfort to those impacted by the ongoing war in Ukraine, soon entering its fourth year. The dogs allow participants to temporarily escape the daily realities of war. The once-hushed room is now filled with laughter and chatter as the stars of the show arrive: two dogs, a bouncy Beagle and a curious Chihuahua.

These dogs have traveled all the way from Kherson in southern Ukraine, with their owners, Olena and Sofia. As the dogs perform tricks – walking on hind legs, jumping through hoops, and even playing football – the children’s excitement and laughter grow. They are invited to join in, and soon, the room is a joyful whirlwind of interaction between children and dogs.

Before the war, Olena ran a canine training centre in Kherson where she regularly helped children find a common language with their pets. Through engagement with dogs, the children learned a variety of skills, from dog training techniques, to overcoming fears, and developing communication skills. “Sofia was one of those kids,” Olena explains. “She came to me when she was 11 with her new Beagle for training.”

During the Russian occupation of Kherson, Sofia and Olena helped pet owners by delivering dog food to those in need. “It gave us something to do and kept us mentally stable,” Sofia recalls. “We couldn’t just sit there and do nothing.”

Ukraine regained control over Kherson in the fall of 2022, but Olena’s son could not attend school due to continued shelling and bombardment. “He started school during the pandemic, and then the war erupted. He’s never been able to attend the classrooms, which has been really hard on him, as he has missed out on, not only a lot of schooling but social interaction with other pupils. That’s why we came to Odesa.”

Sofia also ended up in Odesa, so they continued working together.

These were the very same dogs that helped Olena to adapt to her new life in another city. In Kherson, she was known for her work as a dog trainer, but in Odesa, creating new relationships came with its very own challenges. Despite offering free dog-related activities to various NGOs, she initially faced little enthusiasm for her proposed initiatives, which left her feeling discouraged.

Then, one day while playing with her dog in a park, a woman approached her. She had a dog of her own and asked if Olena would be interested in performing at a local kindergarten. “When I asked who would allow me to bring a dog into kindergarten, she told me that she was actually the owner of the pre-school,” Olena recalls.

Things began to change after that. Olena found an affordable space for her activities simply by chatting with people at a local pet store. Her colleague, a psychologist from Kherson, soon joined her in Odesa to work for an NGO, and together they began to organize activities using their willing furry friends to bring comfort to children.

“One of those activities involved my first real experience of children who were afraid of dogs. When they overcame that fear, it boosted their confidence and in turn, made them more resistant to other fears,” Olena says.

“One time, we had a group of elderly people, all over 70, whose relatives had left the country. They were so isolated. For them, interacting with the pets provided a lifeline – it became a key outlet for them to communicate,” Olena acknowledges. These dogs are also therapy certified, which allows them to run animal-assisted therapy in specialized facilities.

“Not everyone can have a pet, especially now,” Olena explains. “During the war, many people had to leave their pets behind due to occupation, which was a heart-breaking situation for many. Many now are housed in accommodation where keeping animals isn't possible, but the need to connect with dogs has never left them.”

One of the participants, also named Olena, shares an experience of how a 13-year-old beloved cat passed away just before the invasion.

“I still remember how she would wait for me looking out of the window, always ready to greet me when I came home,” she recalls. “Now my friends joke that I can’t walk past a random cat or dog without stopping to say hello. Sadly, I can’t have a pet of my own because the landlords rarely allow tenants to keep pets. That’s why this activity is so special – it gives me another chance to connect.”

“Our activities are aimed at participants to help them release pent up emotions, develop resistance to stress and empower communication skills through interaction with the dogs,” says Nadiia, IOM Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Team Leader in Odesa. “A dog can play a significant role in fostering empathy and strengthening relationships within a family.”

Their services are in demand. Olena’s and Sofia’s schedules are packed, especially on weekends, but they are already planning future projects. “I’m looking for more people to join our team. I’m working on a new project – finding families to adopt shelter animals so that they can find a new forever home,” Olena says.

Despite the challenges of displacement, Olena and Sofia have found a way to turn their passion for dogs into a source of joy and healing for others.

This story was written by Anna Tsybko, IOM Ukraine.