Veteran Support Festival: New Paths to Rehabilitation
Last weekend, the Respublika Park hosted a festival of emotional support called «New Beginnings for Veterans».
This event focused on the integration of veterans into civilian life and their psychological recovery.
Festival attendees were able to join lectures by mental health experts, participate in art therapy workshops, and engage in meditative practices. One of the highlights was canine therapy, which involves interaction with specially trained dogs to improve emotional well-being.
«Our mall serves as a vital platform for social initiatives that truly change lives, — said Yulia Shchaslyva, CEO of Respublika Park. — We highly value the opportunity to support projects that aid veterans in adapting to their new lives».
As part of the program, there was also a charity dog run featuring corgis, organized by the Holy Doggy team, emphasizing the connection between humans and animals.
«As volunteers, we strive to do everything possible to help Ukraine's defenders reintegrate into society. It’s essential for them to feel that they are not alone in their struggles, — noted Kateryna Shershnyova, the festival organizer. We do this to ensure they receive the necessary support».
The festival also had a charitable goal — raising funds for medical implants for veterans and rehabilitation equipment for the NGO «Genome of the Future».
The evening segment of the festival included a charity auction and a concert featuring Ukrainian artists — Ivana Liulenova and Alisa.
This festival marks the second edition; the first took place on August 11, 2024. According to the organizers, this year's event attracted over 5000 veterans and visitors.
It's worth noting that Holy Doggy — a project established by the event agency Holy Sweets, the IRC «Base 4.5.0», and the German pet food manufacturer Josera, actively supports the development of pet-friendly culture in Ukraine and has been promoting canine therapy for three years.
