In Lviv, volunteer Olga Minenko found an unusual way to support the Ukrainian military on the front lines. She creates unique socks and belts made of dog fur, which not only keep you warm in the cold, but also have healing properties and even serve as amulets.
The journalist of IA “FAKT” Yuliya Khomenko talked with the volunteer and learned how the idea arose to create such unusual products from where the wool comes from, such as socks and belts made of dog hair, which help soldiers improve their physical health.
Olga, how did you come up with the idea to create socks made of dog fur specifically for the military?
I had the idea back in 2014, when the war in eastern Ukraine had just begun. Remembering my experience of weaving from dog hair, I decided to offer the soldiers warm socks and belts. Soon, the military began to actively order my products, especially belts, which, according to the doctor, helped soldiers in rehabilitation. This feedback became a powerful incentive for me, and I realized that my work is really important for the military. With the beginning of a full-scale invasion, the demand for my products increased many times. During this time, I gave thousands of pairs of socks to the soldiers – almost as many as in the previous eight years! And I’m not going to stop, because I understand how important my support is to those who defend our country.
Can you tell us about the process of creating socks with the needs of the military in mind?
Of course! Military personnel need particularly strong and warm socks that absorb moisture well and dry quickly. So I use a combination of dog hair with wool or acrylic. Dog fur not only provides warmth, but also has healing properties, reducing inflammation and improving blood circulation, while other materials add strength and durability. But my products are only for medicinal properties, because they are good for sleeping.
Where do you get wool?
Initially, the source of wool for socks was their own dogs. By 2014, I opened my own workshop “Fluffy Warmth”. However, with the start of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, my available supplies quickly ran out. Fortunately, my initiative gained wide publicity, and caring people from all over Ukraine came to help. My girlfriends and friends help me, we have a whole team. Also, groomers and dog owners began to actively send me the wool of their pets, ensuring a continuous process of creating warm socks for defenders. There was a moment when the wool was sent to me by a family that left the occupied territory. During the occupation, they combed the wool and collected it in bags, and then sent it to me.
What dog breeds are best for gathering wool for socks?
Choosing a breed of dog for gathering wool for socks or belts is not limited to just a few options. The long and thick coat characteristic of such breeds as the Newfoundland, Tibetan Mastiff, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Husky and other furry dogs are best suited. These breeds provide a large amount of high-quality wool that is excellent at keeping warm and has healing properties. However, in general, wool of any breed is suitable, the main thing is that it is clean and dry. Thus, owners of dogs of different breeds can contribute to the creation of socks by joining forces to support the Ukrainian military.
Have you received feedback from the military? What are your personal impressions of communicating with them?
Yes, I get a lot of kind words from the fighters. They say that dog fur socks not only keep them warm in cold weather, but also help relieve fatigue and sore feet. Some even say that these socks have become a real talisman for them, which protects them from disaster. One fighter said that his socks made of dog hair became a real talisman. He always carries them with him in his backpack, and believes that they protect him from bullets. Another military member shared that thanks to my socks he was able to overcome sleep problems caused by stress. These touching stories show how important our support is to the military, and how even seemingly simple things like socks can be a source of warmth, comfort and hope for them.
Communicating with our military and knowing that my socks are helping them accomplish their mission fills me with incredible pride and responsibility. It inspires me to continue my work and do even more for our heroes.
Do you have any data on how dog hair socks affect the health and comfort of the military?
Dog hair has unique properties: it warms, absorbs moisture, has a micromassage effect, improves blood circulation and relieves inflammation. Soldiers who wear my socks while sleeping report that they help them avoid colds, reduce joint and muscle pain, and recover faster after exercise. But my socks are only for sleeping, they cannot be used while walking. They have only a therapeutic effect. It has been repeatedly proven that dog hair has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and general strengthening properties. It not only warms you, but has a positive effect on the heart and blood vessels, as well as normalizes blood pressure. And all this is thanks to its natural properties. The wool from which the fiber is spun not only protects against the cold, but also affects the nerve endings and causes blood to flow to the place where the dog hair product is applied – thereby warming the problem area and reducing pain. If we compare dog fur with other fur, its main difference is its hygroscopicity – the ability to accumulate moisture and keep it inside. In medicine, this is called the “dry compress” effect. Thanks to this property, the military will not feel the accumulation of sweat, because the fibers absorb up to 50% of their own weight, thereby keeping the human body dry, but continuing to heat it. Compared to sheep’s wool, dog wool is denser, tougher and harder to wear.
Besides dog fur products, what else do you do? What are your future plans?
For many years now, I have been participating in various exhibitions, such as the Sorochyn Fair, presenting my goat down products at the national and international level – scarves, blankets, clothes and much more. Also, I am constantly learning and improving my skills by attending various yarn and knitting courses. After the victory, I plan to continue doing what I love, expanding the range of my products and maybe even opening my own workshop. But most importantly, I want to continue helping our military, because their courage and bravery deserve the deepest respect and support.
