Posted on Aug 19, 2023
Cat and dog influencers help Ukrainians cope with war
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From fundraising to detecting explosives, cats and dogs have been helping Ukrainians deal with the devastating impact of Russia's invasion.
Patron, the mine-sniffing dog, is one of them. He works for Ukraine's state emergency service - but his mine-clearance skills and apparently disarming charisma have also earned him hundreds of thousands of followers online.
He and a number of other animals - some real, some cartoon - have been offering emotional support and posting practical advice on their social media accounts.
This ranges from guidance on how to deal with difficult feelings caused by war to tips on what to do when you see an explosive device.
Through his work, Patron has met numerous dignitaries and celebrities visiting Kyiv, including Lord of the Rings star Orlando Bloom, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Ukraine's postal service has printed stamps featuring the canine hero, who has also been awarded a medal for "dedicated service" by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Patron, the mine-sniffing dog, is one of them. He works for Ukraine's state emergency service - but his mine-clearance skills and apparently disarming charisma have also earned him hundreds of thousands of followers online.
He and a number of other animals - some real, some cartoon - have been offering emotional support and posting practical advice on their social media accounts.
This ranges from guidance on how to deal with difficult feelings caused by war to tips on what to do when you see an explosive device.
Through his work, Patron has met numerous dignitaries and celebrities visiting Kyiv, including Lord of the Rings star Orlando Bloom, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Ukraine's postal service has printed stamps featuring the canine hero, who has also been awarded a medal for "dedicated service" by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Cat and dog influencers help Ukrainians cope with war
Posted from bbc.com
Cats
Dogs
Russia
Ukraine
Posted 8 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."People are more receptive to advice if it looks as though it is coming from a fluffy pet, says Olena Pavlova, who created a cartoon character called Inzhyr the cat.
"A cat picture travels much further than just words. I've seen it many times," she tells me. "Pictures and memes featuring cats can help deliver a lot of important ideas. They're easier to absorb. Cat pictures help us cope."
"Inzhyr the cat is a natural anti-depressant. I created him to make myself and also my readers feel better. He's positive, cuddly and nice, and he's helping people find hope and light inside themselves," Ms Pavlova says.
Inzhyr's accounts on social media encourage Ukrainians to read more books and offer advice on issues such as fundraising, burnout and why everyone should be like a cat.
"Cats waste no effort, but are determined in achieving their goals," one of his posts reads.
Sound words of advice for anyone, whether at war or not."
..."People are more receptive to advice if it looks as though it is coming from a fluffy pet, says Olena Pavlova, who created a cartoon character called Inzhyr the cat.
"A cat picture travels much further than just words. I've seen it many times," she tells me. "Pictures and memes featuring cats can help deliver a lot of important ideas. They're easier to absorb. Cat pictures help us cope."
"Inzhyr the cat is a natural anti-depressant. I created him to make myself and also my readers feel better. He's positive, cuddly and nice, and he's helping people find hope and light inside themselves," Ms Pavlova says.
Inzhyr's accounts on social media encourage Ukrainians to read more books and offer advice on issues such as fundraising, burnout and why everyone should be like a cat.
"Cats waste no effort, but are determined in achieving their goals," one of his posts reads.
Sound words of advice for anyone, whether at war or not."
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