A new UNBROKEN ANIMALS programme for the emotional recovery of veterans, service personnel and their families, involving companion dogs, will soon begin in Lviv. The initiative is launching under the slogan “Let us unite to restore those who defend us”.
This is Ukraine’s first systemic emotional support programme for this group of people, in which specially trained companion dogs will play a key role.
As part of the project, a training model and dedicated ethical protocols will be developed for preparing “human handler + companion dog” teams. LKP “Lev” notes that the initiative is based on leading European and Ukrainian practices and is shaping a new rehabilitation culture, in which the companion dog becomes a safe mediator helping to reduce stress levels, rebuild trust, and improve emotional resilience and motivation for physical recovery.
The selection of companion dogs to take part in the programme is planned to start as early as July. Owners of any dogs will be able to participate, including those who have adopted a dog from a shelter or taken one in from the street.
UNBROKEN ANIMALS emerged as a joint initiative of the “Companions” project, LKP “Lev” and the NGO “U-Hearts Ukraine”. The project is being implemented by the NGO “Pro Lviv” in cooperation with LKP “Lev”, UNBROKEN Ukraine, the NGO U-Hearts, the Lviv Bureau of European Integration and Invest in Lviv of the Lviv City Council under the “U-LEAD with Europe” programme, which in Ukraine is co-financed by the EU and its Member States Germany, Denmark, France, Austria, Poland and Slovenia.