How an Israeli method is helping children in Zaporizhzhia cope with stress.
More than two hundred children in Zaporizhzhia have joined the Hibuki Therapy project – an Israeli psychological support method that helps children overcome fears, anxiety, and emotional distress through interaction with a special toy – a Hibuki dog designed for hugging.
The plush toy has long paws attached with Velcro so it can literally "hug" a child. According to the method, children project their inner worries onto the pup, and by speaking on Hibuki's behalf, they gradually process their own emotions and learn to articulate them.
Over the course of more than a month, 40 educators and psychologists from kindergartens, schools, and non-governmental organisations underwent training in the method before beginning to work with children directly. Among them was Alina Duniamaliieva, a practising psychologist at the Promin kindergarten.
"When we first introduced Hibuki, we told the children that this little dog had come all the way from Israel. The children were captivated – they made friends with the dog on the very first meeting, emotionally bonded with it, and now they always look forward to seeing it. They share their stories and whisper their secrets into its ear. They like this method", Alina DUNIAMALIIEVA said.
The project in Zaporizhzhia is being implemented by the NGO "Joint Action Platform", with financial support from Metinvest and Zaporizhstal, in partnership with the Department of Education and Science of the Zaporizhzhia City Council.
Olha AHAPOVA, principal of Gymnasium No. 108, says that the participation of Zaporizhzhia's educational institutions in such a program is especially important today.
"It comes as no surprise that institutions in Zaporizhzhia have joined the Hibuki Therapy program. Who, if not us? Children who are living and studying under these conditions need psychological support. We have joined the program for the first time – this is our first year", Olha says.
Before sessions begin, psychologists introduce the method not only to the children but to their parents as well. While some adults were initially sceptical about the therapy, the results soon changed their minds.
"What I really like is that it's non-intrusive, it all happens through play. And she brings that play home with her. She teaches us a thing or two as well. When something new is introduced at kindergarten and it has a positive effect on how a child feels, how they understand their own emotions – that's amazing. Especially these days, when all of us are living under constant stress," says Yana ZUBCHENKO, mother of one of the project's participants.
Psychologists say that over the course of the sessions, children gradually open up, become calmer, and begin talking more about their inner worries.
Anzhelа KLOUS, a practising psychologist at Gymnasium No. 108, recalls the story of a boy who had developed a fear of dogs after a traumatic experience:
"When I explained that the therapy involved a dog, one mother told me her son was afraid of dogs because he had been bitten by one as a child. But now the boy picks Hibuki up, shows no fear, and feeds it little strawberry-flavoured bones. I spoke with his mother yesterday, and she said the experience has been positive, the child is getting ready to meet Hibuki – everything is going well."
Parents are also noticing changes in their children's behaviour after the sessions.
"My child is very emotional. He reacts with a lot of anxiety to certain sounds. When we were invited to join, we were happy to give it a try, so he could see that he is not alone in having fears, worries or troubles. So that he could understand that he’s not the only one feeling this way emotionally," says Liudmyla RIAZANOVA, mother of the project's participant.
According to specialists, for Zaporizhzhia – a city enduring regular shelling and prolonged stress – psychological support for children has become one of the most pressing needs within the educational environment.
"Our children are traumatized, and we are witnessing ongoing retraumatisation. That is why, in my opinion, the more Hibuki we have across our Zaporizhzhia, the better," emphasises Anzhela KLOUS.
It is worth noting that a Hibuki dog is not available in stores or online. As a therapeutic tool, it is exclusively issued to specially trained psychologists and educators, along with a certificate upon completion of the required training.
