On February 28 – March 1, 2026, Sumy National Agrarian University hosted the International Scientific and Practical Online Conference “Ukrainian and International Experience in Providing Animal-Assisted Services in Animal Therapy Practice: Scientific and Practical Aspects.” The event was organized by the Department of Production and Processing of Livestock Products and Cynology of Sumy National Agrarian University in collaboration with the NGO “FOUR PAWS Ukraine,” the NGO “School of Canis-Therapy,” and in partnership with a number of Ukrainian co-organizing universities from various regions of the country. The conference brought together experts from Ukraine and representatives of international professional communities; its popularity was confirmed by over 550 registered participants and a stable attendance of more than 100 listeners throughout all sessions.
Over two days, participants had the opportunity to participate in a rich program covering the key areas of modern animal therapy. Significant attention was paid to working with military personnel and veterans, in particular, practices of psycho-emotional support through interaction with dogs and horses, as well as experience in implementing such programs in various regions of Ukraine. A separate block was dedicated to working with children who have experienced traumatic events, specifically the application of canis-therapy, felino-therapy, and interaction with small and exotic animals.
An important topic of the conference was international approaches to organizing animal-assisted services. Participants familiarized themselves with practices in medical and social institutions of other countries, modern models of training assistance dogs, standards for the welfare of therapy animals, and new methods for evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic programs. The cases presented from Chile, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Israel, Poland, and Slovakia allowed for a comparison of the Ukrainian experience with international trends and outlined opportunities for further development.
Equally valuable were the presentations dedicated to the professional training of specialists, issues of cynological education, animal welfare, and practical aspects of working in the field of human-animal interaction. Participants had the opportunity to join practical workshops, including those on canine massage, psychological tools for canis-therapists, and innovative methods of working with animals in therapeutic sessions.
The conference was supported by the company “Purina,” LLC “FOUR PAWS Ukraine,” and the NGO “School of Canis-Therapy,” which contributed to the organization of the event and the development of the professional community of animal therapists in Ukraine.
The organizing committee sincerely thanks all participants for their activity, professionalism, and readiness to share their experience! The presented materials, discussions, and practical findings have become a significant contribution to the development of human-animal interaction as a tool for supporting health, rehabilitation, and social integration. In a time when the country is experiencing the consequences of war, such joint work acquires special value, as it contributes to strengthening the professional community and expanding opportunities to help those who need it most.
Sincerely, The Conference Organizing Committee
