Vasyl, a veteran, walks nearly 60 dogs daily at LKP ‘Lev’ in Lviv.
Former military Vasyl Velychko, who served from 2017 to 2020 and voluntarily returned to the army during Russia’s full-scale invasion, sustained a severe injury. He lost his arm during the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region. ‘A direct hit with an RPG, referred to as a “boot” in military slang, severed the arm almost immediately,’ Vasyl recounts. Despite this, he persevered and worked as a courier in Lviv after rehabilitation.
‘I am not very fond of talking to people, I find it much more interesting and easier with dogs,’ shares the veteran. Currently, he cares for 60 dogs: feeding, cleaning, and walking them. To make this easier, he was provided with a special belt-leash for convenience.
‘Animal therapy should be prescribed by doctors,’ says Vasyl, emphasizing the emotional benefits of such work for veterans. He encourages others to join LKP ‘Lev’, where there are also positions available for caregivers.