An international psychological support project for children called Hibuki therapy is ongoing in Zaporizhzhia.
This is an Israeli methodology that helps improve the psycho-emotional state of a child, which is currently a very important issue in Ukraine and in Zaporizhzhia in particular.
A Hibuki is a hugging dog designed to embrace children and provide them with a sense of trust and security at the same time. To date, approximately two hundred children aged 6 to 10 across 23 preschools and schools in Zaporizhzhia have welcomed a new friend – a Hibuki dog.
"Hibuki therapy uses a soft toy dog with long limbs and sad eyes. 'Hibuki' means 'hug' in Hebrew. That is why the dog has such long legs. In this case children can keep the toy with them while going about their daily activities.
This therapy provides crucial psychological support for children. It has shown remarkably effective results when working with children who have experienced psychological trauma during the war. After just 6-10 sessions, symptoms of psychological trauma were completely eliminated in 95% of children," shared Kateryna ANDRASH, Hibuki therapist.
Kateryna ANDRASH has witnessed the effectiveness of Hibuki therapy firsthand through her son's experience.
"Two years ago, my son began stuttering due to the frequent shelling of Zaporizhzhia, especially at night. We consulted numerous doctors Unfortunately, none could help. After that, Natalia Anisimova, the vice principal of Zaporizhzhia Gymnasium No. 101, suggested we attend Hibuki therapy sessions with her.
By just the third session, my son's speech had become clear. He no longer repeated words or sounds," said Kateryna Andrash.
This experience motivated Kateryna to train as a Hibuki therapist herself. Now she conducts sessions for children at Gymnasium No. 101.
Her colleague, Maria Troyan, has a similar story. After bringing her son to these sessions and witnessing positive results, she also became a Hibuki therapist.
"The results were simply phenomenal, and I am still thrilled with the outcome My son changed dramatically—he started sleeping through the night. Initially, he would only sleep with his Hibuki dog, but gradually he is beginning to let go of the toy. It is such an effective method that I decided to help other children in Zaporizhzhia who witness drone attacks and hear explosions daily. I wanted to bring children joy and peace," explained Maria TROYAN.
Today, both women help children of internally displaced persons, military service members, and war veterans cope with psychological trauma. The main thing is to see the result.
"I once worked with a boy who was reluctant to interact with me during our first session He would hug the Hibuki dog but kept his distance from me I suggested activities like coloring or playing games, which he wanted to do, but perhaps he was shy or hesitant. At the end of the session, when all the other children had gone home and just the two of us remained, he became more open and responsive. Together with Hibuki, we got him talking, and by the end, he hugged both Hibuki and me. That was incredible," recalled Kateryna Andrash.
Children are happy to attend the Hibuki therapy sessions, and they know that a little dog is their friend to whom they can share everything.
"Everyone is afraid of something. I am afraid of darkness, heights, and spiders. But Hibuki is a friend who helps you overcome your fears," shared Myroslav MYROSHNICHENKO, a participant in the Hibuki therapy sessions.
The Hibuki therapy project is implemented by the NGO "Zaporizhzhia. Platform for Joint Action" with financial support from Metinvest Group and Zaporizhstal, in cooperation with the Department of Education and Science of Zaporizhzhia City Council. The organisers have confirmed that the project will continue.
"There is tremendous demand not only from children wanting more sessions but also from teachers and psychologists who want to learn this methodology and implement it in their institutions," shared Dmytro KHALILOV, Head of NGO "Zaporizhzhia. Platform for Joint Action."
It is worth noting that throughout March 2025, training sessions were conducted in Zaporizhzhia for 30 psychologists, teachers, and educators from schools and kindergartens, as well as 10 psychologists from the public sector. The course was personally led by Dafna Sharon-Maksimov, the creator of the method and head of the international Hibuki therapy project.
Upon completing the training, Zaporizhzhia's educators and psychologists received their own Hibuki dogs, which they will use in their work with children.
