Shayla was not the only dog saved at Father’s House and brought to America. The founder, Roman Korniyko, has a heart for the orphans and homeless children, but also for the abandoned pets of Ukraine.
Bruce Elliott, of Ezra International, a member of the Father’s House Board, worked with Roman and his daughters Alina and Anastasia, to rescue 18 street dogs of various breeds, all raised at Father’s House, over the past few years. Together Bruce and Roman brought Shayla and 16 other dogs to America. All of the dogs were adopted by loving forever homes in America, primarily San Diego. One of the last dogs to leave Ukraine, named Simba, traveled with Roman’s wife and daughters to Poland, within a month after the 2022 foreign military invasion began. Simba was quickly welcomed into a loving family when Father’s House went to Germany.
Unfortunately, his sister, Nala (photo above), escaped from Father’s House and, despite extensive heartbreaking search, they could not find her. No doubt she panicked amidst the noise, bombings, and insanity that ensued in the days following the Russian invasion. Nala is now a symbol for the lost and abandoned pets of Ukraine, the never forgotten victims of a cruel war.
What is the rescue process? The process to import these dogs like Shayla into America, initiated by Bruce Elliott, involved obtaining veterinarian exams, vaccinations, and passports. Bruce registered as an agent with the USDA to apply for import permits for the dogs. Once the permits were obtained, he booked the dogs on Qatar or Turkish flights with one of the Ukrainian staff. The Qatar flight was very long - 5 hours to Qatar and then another 18 hours to Los Angeles (LAX). The dogs were packed into bedded crates with only water bottles attached, no food. They were taken to the airport and checked in for their “flights to freedom.” On arrival to LAX they were picked up and driven to their “forever homes” in San Diego. Unfortunately, America’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) has since shut down the importation of companion animals, citing unlicensed veterinarians and scam paperwork, related to puppy mills. These bad actors have sadly prevented the rescue of additional animals from Father’s House.
Why Rescue Ukrainian Dogs? When I asked Bruce why he rescued these Ukrainian homeless dogs, rather than dogs already here in our American shelters, his response was simple but profound. Bruce supports a desperate need of animal near Kyiv, starving due to the loss of people in the area, especially those who can afford to help the dogs. He states “Because here there are shelters etc. that can help dogs. These foreign dogs have nothing and we are their only hope for survival.." Many animals now have little support. Even before the war there was little adoption of dogs in Ukraine. The people who did get dogs preferred to get pure bred dogs.
Please help me to help them. I made it a point when I started promoting my books to donate a portion of book sales to Father's House but also for bonafide pet rescue in Ukraine. Agencies such as IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare and a local animal shelter near Father's House.. Be their friend and hero!
The names of the 18 precious canines imported from Father’s House (each dog has a special story of rescue, friendship, survival, and adoption) include:
Billie
Nusha
Everett
Bagira
Bella
Shoora
Lessi
SHAYLA
Odessa
Maya
Maise
Maisie’s 4 puppies: Micky Ollie Kleo Lilloo
Grushka
Jesse
& Simba (God bless Nala!)
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