This past weekend, on November 2, the X-PARK sports and entertainment complex in the capital hosted a costume festival for dogs and their owners, Holy Doggy: Halloween Edition. Guests of the event listened to lectures, attended workshops, participated in canine sporting disciplines, and showcased their creativity in costume and talent contests. The festival highlighted the importance and accessibility of emotional support for veterans through canine therapy and supported charitable initiatives. Special attention and respect were given to mixed-breed dogs, who could enter for free.
The festival was organized by the event agency Holy Sweets, innovative rehabilitation center “Base 4.5.0,” and German premium pet food producer Josera, aiming to draw attention to the adoption of mixed-breed dogs. They sought to demonstrate how wonderful and unique these dogs can be, deserving of love and a family just as much as purebred dogs.
Among the special guests was experienced handler Roman Vasylkevych, who has represented dogs of various breeds at Ukrainian and international CAC and CACIB shows for many years. He traveled from Lviv specially to provide a lecture and workshop on handling. This discipline typically trains purebred dogs for shows. However, this time, mixed-breed pets demonstrated their skills, as handling involves an art that requires charisma, mutual understanding with the dog, synchronicity, elegance, and love.
The entire Holy Doggy project consistently emphasized canine therapy, a highly accessible and effective form of emotional support. This is particularly important for our country during and after the wartime period. Among the speakers was Yuriy Zozulia, founder of X-PARK and co-founder of innovative rehabilitation center “Base 4.5.0,” who discussed the positive results of canine therapy in veteran rehabilitation, stressing the significance of maintaining mental health through interaction with dogs.
Experts and specialists involved in the Holy Doggy project continue to promote canine therapy, aiming to make it available to every Ukrainian. Earlier this year, Holy Doggy won a social project contest, enabling the testing of 100 dogs for therapeutic potential. These dogs began training to become four-legged rehabilitation therapists. At Holy Doggy: Halloween Edition, the first students demonstrated their skills. Soon, they will take international exams to aid in the rehabilitation of veterans and their families.
Visitors to the festival could also take themed photos, participate in activities, and visit a dog goods fair. Festival partners Josera, Collar, Bubibo provided gifts for participants.
ВАС МОЖЕ ЗАЦІКАВИТИ:
Holy Doggy: Promoting Canine Therapy in Ukraine
У Києві на ВДНГ пройде фестиваль для усіх порід собак – Holy Sweets Dog Festival: Halloween edition
Скільки песиків зібрав HOLY SWEETS DOG FESTIVAL: Winter edition?
The First Emotional Support Festival “Life Will Overcome Everything” held in Kyiv
Зимові розваги для песиків: HOLY SWEETS DOG FESTIVAL повертається!
Песофестивалі України: як Holy Doggy об’єднують власників собак?
