Children in war-torn Ukraine are seeking comfort from trauma with the help of tail-wagging therapist Bice, an American pit bull terrier.

The state-owned Centre for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation, in Boyarka, a suburb around 12 miles (20km) southwest of Kyiv, is using support from dogs in order to comfort children who may be traumatised from Russia’s war.

Established in 2000, the centre remains one of the few places with light and heating as Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure leave homes without power.

Kremlin remarks ‘hint at Moscow’s current aims’ – follow Ukraine war live updates

Oksana Sliepora, a psychologist, observed how some children are scared of loud noises, such as the sound of a jet or the closing of a window. She said that some even drop to the floor or start asking whether there is a bomb shelter close by.

Ms Sliepora said: “I read a lot of literature that working with dogs, with four-legged rehabilitators, helps children reduce stress, increase stress resistance, and reduce anxiety.”

One group of children – seven girls and nine boys – ranging from two to 18 years old, were asked by Bice’s owner, Darina Kokozei, to come and ask him to perform a trick, from standing on his hind legs to rolling over.

After setbacks, Putin appears intent on breaking Ukraine’s resistance in a less conventional way

Putin could use peace talks ‘as excuse to rearm and recruit troops’, foreign secretary James Cleverly warns

Ukraine war: Vladimir Putin says deal may be needed to end conflict as he admits mistakes were made over mobilisation

Some of the children using the centre have witnessed Russian soldiers invade their hometowns and beat their relatives. Some are the sons, daughters, brothers or sisters of soldiers who are on the front lines, many of whom have been killed.

A brother and sister from Kupyansk, a city in the eastern region of Kharkiv, witnessed Russian soldiers storming into their home with machine guns, grabbing their grandfather, putting a bag on his head and beating him, Ms Sliepora said.

Another, 9-year-old Maxim, has a 19-year-old paratrooper brother fighting in the town of Bakhmut in the the eastern Donetsk region. His mother, Lesya Kucherenko, regularly breaks into tears when she thinks about her eldest son.

When asked what message Bice offers to the children, Ms Kokozei replied: “Freedom. Freedom from problems, and happiness.”

Related posts:

Off-duty Italian police officers find stolen Roman statue in Belgium – a decade after it vanished China deploys jets and bombers into Taiwanese airspace in ‘biggest incursion to date’ Media building in Gaza collapses after Israeli airstrike as Palestinian rockets target Tel Aviv area When I emerged into Kabul I hadn’t entered a new city, I’d gone back 20 years The West might not want to recognise the Taliban, but it mustn’t turn its back on Afghanistan Cristiano Ronaldo knocks out steward with wayward pre-match practice shot ‘Waiting for death’: Doctors work without pay and medicines dwindle, a month into Taliban rule ‘Completely free man’: OJ Simpson released from parole early for good behaviour Man charged over murder of Irish teacher Ashling Murphy ‘Entirely legitimate’ for Ukraine to hit military targets in Russia using Western weapons – UK minister Girl, 12, denied residency because her autism does not meet ‘acceptable standards of health’ in New Zealand French government orders fuel depot strikers back to work amid union showdown