Ukrainian President Awards a Medal to a Bomb-Sniffing Service Dog for Saving Lives
Patron is the kind of hero people do not forget. The 2-year-old Jack Russell terrier has been helping Ukrainian forces detect explosives, and now he has a medal to match the reputation he has built in the field.
At a ceremony in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored Patron and his handler, Mykhailo Iliev, with a medal for Dedicated Service. The moment drew attention not just because of the dog’s work, but because it came during a war that has forced so many families, and pets, to flee their homes.
Patron’s story has already become one of the war’s most uplifting images, and the latest honor only adds to it. Here’s the full story.
Patron is a 2-year-old Jack Russell terrier, and he is a hero. He is a bomb-sniffing dog whose nose has literally been saving lives.
The President of Ukraine, Zelenskyy, presented Patron and his owner/handler, Mykhailo Iliev, with a medal for "Dedicated Service" at a ceremony in Kyiv.
Watch the video of the ceremony:
Following the Russian invasion, Patron rose to prominence in Ukraine as officials credited him with helping to defuse numerous explosives since the fighting began. Patron is a true hero, as demonstrated by his new medal.
After the ceremony, Patron's handler wrote on his Instagram page that "this day will be etched in my memory for a lifetime," adding, "Glory to Ukraine and the Armed Forces."
Patron is the best boy!
This is similar to the service dog who saved his owner during a seizure at a grocery store.
Watch Patron in action:
In the U.S., the TSA trains more than 300 explosive detection canines every year. It costs roughly $46,000 to train a passenger-screening canine and handler. The dogs are taught to detect dozens of different threat-based odors. They work for as long as 10 years before retiring.
Zelenskyy said: “I want to award those Ukrainian heroes who are already clearing our land of mines. And together with our heroes—a wonderful little sapper, Patron, who helps not only to neutralize explosives but also to teach our children the necessary safety rules in areas where there is a mine threat."
There is a saying that war brings out the best and worst in people. Unfortunately, we are so overwhelmed with footage of destruction that we can’t really notice the good things people are doing.
Most importantly, we fail to notice the amazing and heroic things our dogs do. We can only wish Patron all the best and hope for his tour to be over soon.
And we wish for this madness to end.
Skye’s PDSA award for saving 200-plus people in 11 years is next, read it here: Brave Rescue Dog Receives Order Of Merit.
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