1 minute read
With Rishi Sunak
Awards And Honors
Patron was awarded a special title –Goodwill Dog – from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine for the first time in the history of the organization, on 20 November 2022, on the occasion of World Children's Day
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On 5 May 2022, Minister of Internal Affairs Denys Monastyrsky announced the creation of the International Coordination Center for Humanitarian Demining, with Patron as its mascot. Four days later, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accompanied by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, jointly honored Patron and Iliev with the Order for Courage, Third Class, thanking them for their service to Ukraine. This award is presented for Individual courage and heroism while rescuing people or valued materials while endangering one's own life.
"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," President Zelensky said during the ceremony.
On 27 May 2022, Patron was awarded the Palm Dog for "DogManitarian Work" at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.
On 1 September 2022 Ukrposhta started selling Patron charity stamps to raise money for a demining vehicle and animal shelters.
In January 2023 a Patron YouTube channel was opened with an animated Patron starring the cartoons, with English and Polish subtitles, were produced with USAID support and in partnership with UNICEF.
“The cartoon is about me and Tom, and also about very important animals that impressed us with their courage during these 10 months. It’s so adventurous that I’m like, “Woooo!”. There I am chasing very strange creatures … but I will not reveal all the secrets yet,” wrote Patron’s official Instagram account.
The music for the series “Patron The Dog” was written by Pianoboy. The animated film was created by the Plastic Bag studio, and the director of the series was Anastasiia Falileeva.
He has inspired a number of artworks by fans across the country, ranging from illustrations to knitted animal replicas.
Patron has become a true patriotic icon for Ukraine.
