Conference on the Use of Service Dogs for Veteran Support

The three-day conference «Current Issues in Utilizing Service Dogs for Providing Emotional Support to Police Officers and Other Individuals Affected by Russian Aggression against Ukraine» took place in Lviv and was organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the National Police of Ukraine, and the EU Advisory Mission.
The event brought together police representatives, academics, dog trainers, psychologists, medical professionals, military personnel, rescuers, foreign partners, and NGOs.
Among the participants were experts from Kyiv, including Vitalii Lytvyn, Daria Lepska, and Olena Kendysh, as well as Ruslan Hubanov, assistant to the Kyiv police chief on veteran issues.
Participants were introduced to the results of a pilot project aimed at involving service dogs for emotional support for police officers, soldiers, and their families. Significant attention was given to methods of interacting with veterans experiencing traumatic experiences from military actions.
A dedicated part of the program featured veterans sharing their own rehabilitation experiences and interactions with canine helpers, affirming the practical benefits of using service dogs in psychological recovery.
Kyiv police officers engaged in discussions, workshops, and training sessions focused on developing emotional support initiatives. This allowed them to deepen their professional knowledge and exchange experiences with colleagues from various regions and the EU, while insights and recommendations gained from the conference will assist law enforcement in further rehabilitation work with veterans.