Wars have never been easy for anyone. It has shown that it can uproot people’s lives, cause devastation in the land, and separate families from one another. History should have served as a warning for us to never make the same mistakes again, yet humans tend to ignore these due to their own greed and interests.

Despite the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, we snippets of humanity amidst the chaos.

Jeff Praul is an American who lives far away from Ukraine, yet it did not stop him from extending a helping hand to those in need.

Praul was one of the Americans who watched the news about the Ukraine-Russia war. He was waiting tables at a restaurant in Maryland when he watched the president of Ukraine invite people from different nations to volunteer in the war efforts.

“When Russia invaded Ukraine, that entire day my heart just felt heavy,” Praul told TODAY Parents. “I was just feeling like there was nothing I could do.”

Animals are also one of the victims of the war.

They are mostly separated from their owners while others abandon them. They are in need of help just like people.

When Praul saw the opportunity of helping the Ukrainians and the animals, he immediately booked a flight to Poland.

It was hard to see Praul go, but his family understands where his heart lies.

“They’re really sad, because you don’t know if that’s the last time you’re seeing them in person,” he added. “And I acknowledged that potential reality. But they also understood — they know where my heart is and they know where my intentions are. So they didn’t want me to go — they still message me every day saying, ‘OK, it’s time to come home now’ — but they know who I am.”

Once Praul arrived in Ukraine, he went to Yavoriv Military Training Base. However, he left it since he refused to pick up a gun and potentially kill a Russian soldier. He moved to Lviv and where he found Домiвка Врятованих Тварин which is translated as “Home of Rescued Animals,”.

Home of Rescued Animals is an animal shelter whose goal is to provide shelter to wild and domesticated animals who have been abandoned due to the war.

There are a lot of animals who get rescued each day. It can be overcrowded sometimes, but thankfully they have a partner organization in Germany that helps them transport the animals to Germany and find a new home.

“Two days ago we had 30 dogs. Yesterday I want to say around 10. Today, around six. So the dogs are getting adopted on the spot, which is awesome.” Praul said.

Praul does his best in caring for the dogs.

But it always breaks his heart to see dogs that were traumatized by the war.

“The dog I have the biggest attachment to right now, she can’t go out because she doesn’t trust anyone,” he added. “Animals don’t have a choice in any of this — it’s human drama and the animals don’t have any say.”

Praul will leave Ukraine soon, but he knows a part of his heart will always remain Ukraine.

“I already have a feeling that the day I leave I’m going to be feeling like I should be back here.” he shared.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: Today, Domi_Vka