Bice is an American pit bull terrier with an essential job in Ukraine – comforting youngsters traumatised by the struggle.

The playful eight-year-old canine arrived at a rehabilitation centre on the outskirts of Kyiv this week, prepared to begin his duties.

As Bice waited in a hall, inside what regarded like a college classroom with work and a few books, a dozen youngsters sat round a desk listening to psychologist Oksana Sliepora.

“Who has a dog?” she requested and a number of other palms have been raised because the room crammed with shouts of “Me, me, me!”

One boy mentioned his canine was named Stitch, whereas one other mentioned “Tank”, including that he has a complete of 5, however he had forgotten all their names. Everyone burst out laughing.

At first, the seven ladies and 9 boys – ranging in age from a two-year-old boy to an 18-year-old younger girl – appear like schoolchildren having fun with a lesson.

But they’ve explicit tales: Some witnessed Russian troopers invading their hometowns and beating their kinfolk; some are the sons, daughters, brothers or sisters of troopers who’re on the entrance strains, or have been killed on them.

They come collectively on the Centre for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation, a state-operated group centre the place folks can get assist dealing with traumatic experiences after Russia’s invasion in February. Staff present common psychological remedy for anybody who has been affected in any method by the struggle.

In the previous they’ve labored with horses, however now they’re including canine remedy.