Bice is an American pit bull terrier with a sensitive job in Ukraine — comforting children traumatized by the war. Some of the children witnessed Russian soldiers invade their hometowns and beat their relatives. Some have lost relations on the front lines.
In the past they have worked with horses, but now they are adding support from another four-legged friend: Canine therapy.
Now it focuses on people affected by the war. These days, when some areas are without power after the Russian attacks to Ukrainian energy infrastructure, the two-story building is one of the few places with light and heating. For more than 30 minutes, Bice let everybody to touch him and hug him, without ever barking. It was as if nothing else mattered at that moment, as if there were nothing to worry about — like, say, a war ravaging their country.
Among the children were a brother and sister from Kupyansk, a city in the eastern region of Kharkiv, who witnessed Russian soldiers storming into their home with machine guns, grabbing their grandfather, putting a bag on his head and beating him, Sliepora said.The moms of some of the kids remained almost all the time seated along one of the walls, watching and listening at distance. When Bice came, some took pictures of their children.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine war live updates: Heavy losses reported among Russian mercenaries in east Ukraine; global leaders to discuss more sanctions on MoscowSignificant parts of Ukraine continue to struggle with power shortages over the weekend after more Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
Read more »
Russia on pace for 100,000 dead soldiers by Christmas: Ukraine defenseThe grim milestone could actually happen on Christmas Day.
Read more »
Pope Francis: War in Ukraine ‘Destroys Many Lives, So Many Lives’Pope Francis urged boys and girls to pray for children “forced to live the terrible and dark days of war” after his Angelus address Sunday.
Read more »
Live blog: Ukraine strike hits Wagner group headquarters - officialA Ukrainian official says several Wagner group operatives have been killed in a Ukrainian attack while repair crews have been working to repair energy infrastructure hit by Russian strikes as the conflict enters its 291st day.
Read more »
Ukraine steps up diplomacy amid fighting, power outagesThe United States is prioritising efforts to boost Ukraine's air defences, President Joe Biden told his Ukrainian counterpart on Sunday, as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stepped up efforts to secure international assistance over the Russian invasion that is dragging into a 10th month.
Read more »