Cat and dog influencers help Ukrainians cope with war

From fundraising to detecting explosives, cats and dogs have been helping Ukrainians deal with the devastating impact of Russia's invasion.

Patron, the mine-sniffing dog, is one of them. He works for Ukraine's state emergency service - but his mine-clearance skills and apparently disarming charisma have also earned him hundreds of thousands of followers online.

He and a number of other animals - some real, some cartoon - have been offering emotional support and posting practical advice on their social media accounts.

This ranges from guidance on how to deal with difficult feelings caused by war to tips on what to do when you see an explosive device.

Through his work, Patron has met numerous dignitaries and celebrities visiting Kyiv, including Lord of the Rings star Orlando Bloom, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Ukraine's postal service has printed stamps featuring the canine hero, who has also been awarded a medal for "dedicated service" by President Volodymyr Zelensky.