The most adorable dog from the Chernihiv State Emergency Service has become a symbol of struggle and an object of inspiration for Ukrainians. Patron may be a small dog, but he does a very important thing. The whole country watches this cute puppy do his job, nap, take baths, and play with his human.
Patron is a two-year-old Jack Russell terrier. Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, Patron and his master, a rescuer from Chernihiv, have been constantly at work, clearing the area of explosives left by the Russians. The owner, however, notes that Patron is not a service dog but a mascot of Chernihiv rescuers, their good luck charm. Plus, he looks truly lovely in each photo.
The pup has his personalized body armor and a special spot in the car. A keen sense of smell and excellent training are the two most vital qualities that help Patron detect mines, shells, bombs, grenades, and other explosives.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine, Patron has sniffed out and barked at more than a hundred explosive devices. Today, he continues to constantly explore dangerous areas, motivating pyrotechnicians to keep their morale high and not to give up!
Patron has an Instagram page, of course, which shows his dangerous everyday life. More than 255,000 users have subscribed to the brave boy’s page, and this number is constantly growing. Patron went viral after pictures of him sniffing out land mines, and other dangerous stuff were posted online.
This little fellow became so popular that many talented artists immortalized him in their drawings. Dozens of illustrations have already been created about the brave Patron, which quickly spread on the Internet. The artists jokingly call the dog the commander-in-chief of demining operations and also note that Chernihiv girls can now feel much safer with such a hero.
This amount of fame motivates the soldiers, rescuers, and your everyday Joes to work harder, keep the bar high, and go into battle with new strength, knowing how many people are still waiting for help. Every bit of positive boost is crucial for Ukrainians today.
And on May 8, President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded Patron the Medal “For Dedicated Service.” No, it was not fake news. The dog has an actual medal! The award ceremony took place during an official meetup between Zelensky and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
President Zelensky mentioned that he awarded the brave sapper not only for helping to dispose of explosive devices but also for teaching the children the necessary safety rules in areas where there is a mine threat, like fields, backyards, cemeteries, etc.
Important notice: after the award ceremony, Patron licked the medal and barked at Prime Minister Trudeau. It was a good day.
