Patron, the Ukrainian soldier dog, has become a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

In Ukraine, a jack russel named Patron he has just been appointed as a goodwill ambassador of UNICEF. He officially becomes the first dog to hold this title. Strange as it may seem, Patron is a hero in his country at war. Using his small size and unerring nose he was put into the service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and quickly became the most popular deminer in Ukraine.

His master, a deminer by profession, she’s been training him to spot explosives since he was a puppy. Today, three years old, Patron is a war soldier like many othersbut it is also one Instagram stars. His account is followed by 376,000 users. Likeable and popular, he works for Ukrainian children, visiting them in hospitals and participating in educational programmes. On 8 May, the dog and his master were awarded the Order “for Courage” by the President of the Republic. Volodymyr Zelensky in person.

As part of their partnership, “UNICEF and Patron will co-operate on mine risk and safety education […] as well as providing psychosocial and mental health support to children, adolescents, young people, their caregivers and educators,” reads the organisation’s official website.

The Instagram star has also lent his features to a digital avatar called Virtual Patron, which serves as a study partner for students. The UNICEF representative in Ukraine Murat Sahin paid tribute to the new «dog of goodwill»: «Patron won the trust and hearts of all Ukrainians […] He is constantly engaged in demining activities and also knows how to encourage and comfort children and adults with humor in difficult times.

Devoid of human-intelligible language, the little hero dog vented on Instagram, thanking all those who help him and the Ukrainian emergency services «for keeping children informed in interesting ways»: Cartoons, puzzles, fun activities…», concluding with a tender appeal to prudence: «Promise me to be vigilant and I promise you in return to always come and lick you».