The ongoing full-scale invasion has created an urgent demand for scalable psychological and physical rehabilitation programs in Ukraine. While traditional methods are essential, global trends favor incorporating animal-assisted therapy (AAT), specifically emotional support dogs. The U-Hearts Foundation launched the Companions Project, a pioneering initiative to train shelter dogs and their companions to become certified emotional support animals for those most affected by the war.
The Critical Need for Structured Emotional Support
Ukraine currently lacks a systemic, standardized program for training emotional support dogs. The need is critical, targeting key groups:
- Veterans and Military Personnel: Ukrainian veterans face severe mental health challenges, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and isolation. Interaction with a trained dog helps lower stress levels, stabilize emotional states, and facilitate both social adaptation and physical recovery.
- Civilian War Victims: Civilians affected by trauma and displacement require innovative methods of psychological support.
- Children Affected by War: Children who have lost stability are highly receptive to animals. Animal-assisted therapy has proven effective globally as a tool for overcoming trauma.
International experience (US, Canada, EU) shows that programs involving emotional support dogs significantly shorten rehabilitation times and produce lasting therapeutic effects. This project aims to set a new, scalable standard across Ukraine.
Why Dogs? The Therapeutic Effect of Emotional Support Animals
Dogs offer unique, non-judgmental support:
- Physiological Benefits: Interaction lowers blood pressure and increases oxytocin (the “bonding” hormone) while decreasing cortisol (stress hormone).
- Emotional Bridging: A dog acts as a real helper making it easier for veterans and children to re-engage with others.
- Saving Lives Twice: The unique core of the Companions Project is giving a second chance to dogs from shelters, transforming a homeless animal into a healing companion. This showcases how you can help stray dogs and cats by integrating them into the recovery process.
Structure and Phases: How the Project Works
The Companions Project is launching as a pilot in Lviv to establish the first nationally recognized standard protocol for emotional support dogs in medical and social institutions.
- Testing (5–10 Meetings): Initial selection of candidates, prioritizing those who have adopted dogs from Lviv shelters.
- Group Formation: 10 dogs and 10 owners are selected to move forward.
- Intensive Training (2 Months): Participants undergo modules on behavior, handling, and working in medical environments, focusing on the specific needs of veterans and traumatized children.
- Protocol Development: U-Hearts Foundation, with specialists, will create Ukraine’s first official protocol for dog-assisted visits to medical facilities and children’s spaces, establishing a scalable standard.
Unique Impact and Call to Action
The Companions Project is tailored for maximum effect:
- For Veterans: Dogs offer unconditional support, critical for those with trauma. They provide a grounding presence during panic and can be trained for deep pressure therapy (DPT). This is rehabilitation that truly matters.
- For Children: A dog represents safety and predictability, promoting emotional expression and reducing the burden of trauma. It’s an effective way to help homeless pets while aiding children.
We cannot achieve this transformation alone. Training handlers and certifying emotional support dogs requires dedicated resources. Your support is crucial to keep helping pets become life-changing companions.
We urge you to join the U-Hearts Foundation. Every contribution helps transform a life – both human and animal. Helping pets by supporting their training is a powerful contribution to the nation’s resilience. By participating, you are directly helping stray dogs and cats find a greater purpose and providing hope for veterans and children. Find out how to help homeless animals and support the Companions Project today.
Support the U-Hearts Foundation Companions Project
You can be a part of this vital change and help homeless pets gain a life-saving mission. Helping pets in this way is an investment in the psychological recovery of Ukraine. How to help homeless animals:
- Donate to the Companions Project and directly support the training of an emotional support dog.
- Promote the adoption of suitable dogs for this work.
U-Hearts Foundation is committed to setting a new standard for support, one paw and one heart at a time.
