- DTCare in Ukraine | Mental Health -
Hero’s Compass: A Journey of Resilience and Recovery
Adventure-Based Counseling for Veterans in the Carpathians
Hero's Compass is an innovative support program providing Ukrainian veterans with essential mental health and reintegration resources. Developed by DTCare and DTCare UA, Hero's Compass blends adventure therapy, creative arts, and peer support, drawing on proven models like Project Odyssey, Outward Bound Veteran Expeditions, and Warrior PATHH while customizing each element to address the specific needs of Ukraine's veterans affected by war.
The program begins with an in-person 8-day retreat, combining outdoor activities such as hiking and camping with group therapy and art-based interventions. This experience is followed by ten weeks of online peer support, connecting participants with Ukrainian and U.S. mental health professionals. By fostering trust and social reintegration, Hero's Compass helps veterans overcome trauma and isolation, filling critical gaps in mental health care for Ukraine's veteran community.
An Innovative Support Program for Ukrainian Veterans
Refuel the Mind, Body, and Soul with Hero’s Compass
Experience a one-of-a-kind retreat in the breathtaking Carpathian Mountains with DTCare's Hero’s Compass adventure-based counseling program. The 8-day program is designed specifically for Ukrainian veterans facing mental health challenges and in need of accessible psychological support. Led by a team of mental health professionals and adventure guides, the program aims to reduce PTSD symptoms, improve mental health outcomes, address moral injury, and combat substance abuse and addiction. With a focus on adventure, psychological resilience, and relaxation, participants engage in various activities such as hiking, kayaking, art therapy, and mindfulness sessions. The program not only fosters healing and resilience but also encourages building community bonds among participants. Let DTCare help you on the road to recovery and to thrive. Contact us below to sign up or learn more.
What to Expect
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Adventure
Explore the therapeutic wonder of nature through DTCare’s curated outdoor activities.
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Counseling
Promote inner strength and resilience through targeted counseling sessions for veterans.
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Relaxation
Unwind and reconnect through mindfulness activities for the mind, body, and soul.
Each 8-day in-person retreat includes:
Guided outdoor adventures, which may include rock climbing, hiking, rafting, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
Daily group therapeutic art experiences.
Opportunities to practice alternative therapy methods, including mindfulness, meditation, and breathing techniques.
Legal consultations and access to support services.
Led by a trusted team of three: an experienced facilitator, an art therapist, and a veteran mentor.
The in-person retreat is followed by 10 weeks of online peer and facilitator-led support that includes:
Frequent check-ins.
Shared resources.
Optional psychological and legal consultation.
Ongoing alumni network engagement.
Why Adventure-Based Counseling?
The Rising Need for Veteran Psychological Support
According to data from the Ukrainian Army, before the conflict, suicide was already the leading cause of death among service members. The mental health crisis in Ukraine has only been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and a lack of adequate resources. The negative stigma surrounding mental health has made it even more challenging for veterans to access the support they need. Ukrainian military therapist Mykhailo Parfonov has stated that veterans often face a wide range of problems, including physical injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. They may also struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, and moral conflict and are often resistant to seeking psychological help due to fears of judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hero’s Compass is a comprehensive 8-day adventure experience in the Carpathian Mountains followed by ten weeks of ongoing virtual psychological support proudly offered by DTCare to specifically support Ukrainian veterans on their mental health journey, the road to recovery, and transition back into everyday life.
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DTCare’s Hero’s Compass program is tailored to suit the unique needs of veterans specifically. Hero’s Compass does not currently include family sessions, but DTCare is always looking into ways to improve and expand the program as needs arise.
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Service animals are always welcome at Hero’s Compass retreats. However, due to the nature of our activities and the policies of the hotels, lodges, or other facilities we use, household pets are not able to join at this time. We appreciate your understanding.
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Hero’s Compass retreats take place in various locations, chosen carefully based on availability, safety, the type of experiences we want to offer, and input from our facilitators. Each setting is selected to support meaningful adventure, reflection, and connection. You’ll receive specific location details once you’re accepted into a session.
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Interested veterans should submit an application here. The BRAVE team carefully reviews each application and selects participants based on a range of items, including service history, personal goals, and readiness for the program. We aim to build retreat groups with shared experiences or interests to foster connection, while also including enough diversity to encourage meaningful and engaging conversations. Our goal is to create a balanced group where everyone can contribute and benefit from the experience.
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To ensure accessibility for those who have serve, there is no cost to veterans to attend Hero’s Compass.
If your organization is interested in hosting a special session of Hero’s Compass for the veterans you support, please contact us at UkraineOffice@dtcare.org to learn more about sponsorship and partnership opportunities.
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The types of activities involved in adventure-based counseling tailored for veterans can vary but may include camping, hiking, rock climbing, zip-lining, team-building exercises, and more. Since these activities allow veterans to push themselves outside of their comfort zones and develop new skills while also addressing their psychological needs, DTCare's comprehensive veteran counseling program incorporated a variety of these adventure-based activities.
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Adventure-based counseling is proven to help aid mental health issues in veterans, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. DTCare’s Hero’s Compass sessions are aimed at reducing symptoms, improving quality of life, and increasing overall well-being.
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The Hero’s Compass Adventure-based Counseling program comprises an 8-day on-site experience that is complimented by a further 10 weeks of online support where veterans have continued communication with fellow team members and facilitators.
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The requirements for participating in DTCare's Hero's Compass adventure and counseling sessions can vary depending on the specific activities, but generally, there is no specific age range or fitness level required. Programs may adapt activities to accommodate individual abilities.
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Adventure-based counseling is effective for a variety of mental health conditions and psychological needs, but may be particularly beneficial for PTSD, substance abuse, and depression.
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Hero’s Compass mental health professionals can help determine if our adventure-based counseling is the right fit for you. They can evaluate an individual’s unique needs and recommend the most beneficial treatment approach.
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Hero's Compass' adventure-based sessions for veterans differs from traditional therapy in that it incorporates the outdoors and physical challenges. It emphasizes personal growth through experiential learning and can be particularly helpful for those who struggle with traditional talk therapy.
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After DTCare’s on-site 8-day adventure experience, veterans receive 10 weeks of additional online support where they continue communications with team members and facilitators.
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To date, all Hero’s Compass sessions have been made possible through private donations from generous Americans who believe in supporting Ukraine’s veterans. Additional support comes from our incredible facilitating partners, who contribute meaningfully by offering experiences at no cost or reduced rates, donating transportation, or providing discounted rental facilities.
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We are continuously working to make Hero’s Compass more accessible for veterans, including providing more advanced notice for upcoming trips whenever possible.
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We believe strongly in the benefits of Hero’s Compass, and participant feedback and self-assessments confirm its impact. To ensure more veterans have the opportunity to experience the program, we prioritize accepting applicants who have not yet attended a session. If you loved the program, feel free to reach out to UkraineOffice@dtcare.org to learn about ways to stay involved—such as becoming an ambassador, volunteer, or joining our BRAVE team of facilitators.
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Hero’s Compass is specifically designed to support the transition from military service to civilian life and is intended for veterans who have retired from service. Because of this focus, active duty soldiers are not eligible to participate. For additional questions, please contact UkraineOffice@dtcare.org.
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Encourage donors and funders – Talk to potential supporters about your experience and invite them to contribute to future sessions.
Be active in your community group chats – Check in regularly with fellow participants and facilitators to maintain connection and offer support.
Reach out to your BRAVE team – Ask how you can contribute your unique skills, knowledge, or energy to ongoing efforts.
Attend alumni meetups – Stay engaged and help build a strong community of past participants.
Advocate for mental health and veteran support – Share what you've learned with others and help reduce stigma in your community.
Support the planning team – Help identify locations, adventure activities, individuals, or local businesses that could host or support Hero’s Compass activities.
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Donate – DTCare’s programs, including Hero’s Compass, runs with the help of generous donors. To support Hero’s Compass, consider making a donation here.
Express interest in becoming a BRAVE facilitator – Email UkraineOffice@dtcare.org to explore leadership opportunities in future retreats.
Reach out to your BRAVE team – Ask how you can contribute your unique skills, knowledge, or energy to ongoing efforts.
Share your resume – Let us know your background so we can match your strengths with program needs.
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Hero’s Compass retreats take place in a variety of locations, each carefully chosen based on availability, accessibility for all body types, safety, facilitator input, and the types of experiences we want to offer. Selections are made to ensure a diverse mix of participants and settings—no two sessions will ever be the same, regardless of location. Each site is selected to support meaningful adventure, reflection, and connection, and you’ll receive specific location details once you’re accepted into a session.
More Than a Retreat: A Complete Approach to Healing
Providing Practical Support and Resources to Ukrainian Veterans
Hero’s Compass is more than just time in nature. The program is carefully designed as a therapeutic journey that creates space for transformation through four distinct phases of the T-4 Model.
The T-4 Model: Trust → Try → Transform → Transition
Trust: Build emotional safety and community from day one through developing shared goals and establishing a Full Value Contract.
Try: Challenge by Choice encourages veterans to step outside their comfort zones and conquer personal challenges in ways that feel safe and supported, never forced.
Transform: Veterans recognize how the challenges faced during their shared experiences during the TRY stage serve as powerful metaphors for the struggles they face in daily life. Meaningful discussions help participants gain fresh perspectives and tools to navigate personal and professional obstacles.
Transition: Ten weeks of online support help veterans integrate what they’ve learned and stay connected through a strong alumni network. Veterans take their new strategies forward into their lives.
Hero’s Compass is designed for outcomes, not just experiences. Based on participant feedback and psychological assessments in Spring ‘25, we’ve seen:
24.5%
reduction in PTSD symptoms
(PCL-M assessment)
significant improvements in sleep, emotional regulation, and community connection
97%
want to remain involved post-retreat as mentors or in alumni groups
75%
participate during the 10-week online phase
Hero’s Compass Spring 2025 Impact: Transforming Ukrainian Veteran Recovery
In Spring 2025, Hero’s Compass hosted five retreat sessions for 54 recently demobilized Ukrainian veterans, aged 25–60, in the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine. Each 8-day retreat was followed by a 10-week online support program, combining adventure-based counseling, art therapy, psychoeducation, legal consultations, and peer-led group work for holistic recovery.
Measurable Results
PTSD symptoms, measured by the proven PCL-M checklist*, declined by 14–35% across program cohorts. The most notable improvements were seen in sleep, emotional engagement, anger management, and concentration.
*Learn more about the PCL-M checklist here.
Community Engagement
A remarkable 97% of participants expressed their commitment to stay engaged with Hero’s Compass through alumni activities, volunteering, or mentorship, showing the program’s long-term impact on community and peer support.
Legal Support & Reintegration
During the spring cycle, 27 veterans accessed individualized legal support, covering critical issues such as disability rights, medical care, workplace reintegration, and housing.
Lasting Effects & Continued Involvement
Weekly engagement in online peer support groups reached 75%, with several veterans securing employment or enrolling in new training programs during this phase. Strong participant feedback underlines an ongoing demand for expanded educational and employment resources.
Looking Ahead
Guided by participant needs, Hero’s Compass is committed to evolving and growing by expanding alumni networks and adding new program modules. By combining trust-based recovery with practical tools, Hero’s Compass offers Ukrainian veterans real pathways to healing and successful reintegration.
Please see our Q1 Impact Report for a detailed breakdown of how Hero’s Compass made a difference in Spring 2025.
Cost & Efficiency
$1,000 per veteran (covers retreat + 10 weeks of follow-up)
90% of funds go directly to service delivery
2025–2026 funding goal: $200,000
Want to help?
Program Objectives
Fusing Adventure and Psychology to Foster Healing and Resilience
Reduce PTSD Symptoms Among Veterans
DTCare’s primary focus is to significantly reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Ukrainian soldiers. Through effective treatment and support, our program aims to observe a 25% decrease in overall symptom scores within the following year. We also aim to improve mental health outcomes by introducing evidence-based interventions for depression and anxiety. We strive to target a 50% reduction in diagnoses compared to the national average within the next six months.
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Address Grief and Loss with Counseling
The program will also address grief and loss due to combat by providing grief counseling services and support groups. DTCare aims to achieve a 30% decrease in symptom severity within three months. Additionally, DTCare will tackle the issue of moral injury by enhancing awareness and understanding, aiming for a 20% reduction in self-reported feelings of guilt, shame, and moral conflict within the following year.
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Address Substance Abuse and Addiction
To address substance abuse and addiction, we will implement prevention and treatment programs. DTCare aims to observe a 25% decrease in reported substance use disorders within the next six months. These initiatives, together, form a comprehensive approach to enhancing the mental well-being of Ukrainian soldiers, encompassing various aspects of psychological health for a holistic recovery.
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Key Staff
An Innovative Support Program for Veterans Led by Certified Guides, Therapists, and Industry Professionals
Our expert team leads Hero’s Compass. They have extensive experience working with veterans and a deep understanding of adventure and outdoor activities as therapeutic tools. The adventure guides are certified in wilderness first aid and possess outdoor leadership and safety expertise. Art therapists utilize various art mediums to help clients express emotions, reduce stress, and promote personal growth and self-awareness. The experienced staff and therapists ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. DTCare also consults and trains industry professionals and specialists to provide on-demand assessments and tailored counseling sessions. Additionally, session facilitators and mentors provide invaluable guidance and support to veterans throughout the program.
BRAVE Training: Built for Ukraine
All facilitators are trained in Hero’s Compass’ B.R.A.V.E model: Building Resiliency and Adventure for Veterans' Empowerment. The curriculum was uniquely developed for Hero's Compass facilitators. Read more about the BRAVE model and training for our facilitators here.
BRAVE Training Program
Transformative Veteran Support and Facilitator Training in Ukraine
In February 2025, Truskavets became the epicenter of personal growth and professional development, hosting the final in-person phase of the BRAVE Training Program. This innovative initiative united veterans, art therapists, and managers in a powerful, shared space dedicated to trauma-informed learning, resilience building, and collective transformation. The BRAVE Training Program is designed to equip future facilitators with practical skills and proven strategies, empowering them to guide others towards recovery, self-worth, and sustainable resilience through Adventure-Based Counseling techniques and the comprehensive T4 Model.
Step-by-Step Structure for Effective Facilitator and Veteran Support Training
BRAVE Training begins with five foundational online sessions, preparing participants with essential knowledge of the Adventure-Based Counseling methodology, the T4 Model, and the core values that define the program, including trust, collaboration, and emotional safety. The intensive in-person segment lasts eight days and truly embodies experiential learning—participants learn through active engagement, guided reflection, and healthy risk-taking, which are proven methods for deep personal change and team building.
The T4 Model: The Pillar of Adventure-Based Counseling
Trust
The journey starts with building trust. Participants co-create a Full Value Contract—an agreement for honesty, presence, and mutual respect. By openly discussing values and boundaries, the group establishes an environment of psychological safety. The key principle “Challenge by Choice” lets each individual engage at their comfort level, reducing pressure and fostering trust through voluntary participation.Try
In this stage, action is emphasized. Using Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle (doing, reflecting, analyzing, applying), participants engage in hands-on activities engineered for “healthy risk.” Each activity is carefully structured (briefing, doing, debriefing) to encourage safe exploration beyond one’s comfort zone. This approach is especially valuable for veterans and those working through trauma, as it balances challenge with support.Transform
Here, transformation happens as individual and group experiences are processed through structured debriefing. Facilitators are trained to identify strengths and challenges, offer meaningful feedback, and create powerful “peak experiences” that can significantly enhance self-esteem, motivation, and social connection, critical for post-traumatic growth.Transition
The final stage focuses on sustaining change. Participants learn to set SMART goals, identify accessible resources, and plan actionable next steps. This practical integration ensures that gains made during Brave Training endure long after the program, aiding ongoing recovery from PTSD, moral injury, and loss.
Key Concepts in BRAVE Training
Healthy Risk: Encourages personal growth by supporting safe, structured steps outside the comfort zone. With collective support and playful challenges, participants foster self-discovery and resilience.
Debriefing: A vital element after every activity, promoting reflection, learning, and belief change. Debriefing solidifies knowledge and emotional growth, which is essential for trauma recovery and facilitator skills.
Resilience: Brave Training cultivates six forms of resilience—physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, interpersonal, and spiritual—providing a multidimensional foundation for healing and leadership.
Shared Language: By mastering the same adventure therapy and facilitation methodology, veterans, therapists, and managers can communicate clearly, bridge role differences, and work toward shared goals.
Benefits of the BRAVE Training Program
By prioritizing real-life experience, safe spaces, and group cohesion, Brave Training achieves more than conventional training. The program:
Builds unified teams from diverse professional backgrounds.
Moves learning beyond the classroom into action, embodiment, and real connection.
Brings trauma-informed care to the forefront, allowing safe exploration of PTSD, grief, and moral injury.
Develops leadership, facilitation, and peer support skills essential for sustainable veteran support networks.
Places holistic well-being and human dignity at the center of the recovery and reintegration journey.
Why BRAVE Training Makes a Difference for Veterans and Therapists
Brave Training is more than a facilitator or veteran support training, it is a life-changing experience that transforms individuals and teams. Veterans, art therapists, and managers undergo the journey together to build trust, deepen mutual understanding, and ensure that those returning from war receive comprehensive care, addressing both their physical and inner wounds.
If you are searching for a proven, evidence-based facilitator training for trauma support, veteran reintegration, or adventure-based therapy, Brave Training offers a practical pathway toward growth, healing, and community building.
Program Overview
A Comprehensive Approach to Healing and Support for Veterans
DTCare’s program takes place in the tranquil setting of the Carpathian Mountains, providing a serene and peaceful location for healing. Each day, the participants will engage in various exhilarating outdoor activities, including hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, and more. These activities are designed to build trust and confidence among the participants and promote team-building.
The afternoons will be dedicated to therapeutic activities, such as group discussions, art therapy, journaling, and mindfulness sessions. We will provide a relaxing and engaging group activity in the evenings, such as outdoor meditation, storytelling around a campfire, or stargazing.
Travel day: settle in and program overview. Introductions and orientation by program staff. Completion of intake forms and assessments. Program overview, group discussion, and icebreaker activities. Participants write and approve their contracts.
Day 1
Afternoon
Evening
Welcome dinner. Relaxation activities such as guided meditation or gentle stretching. Evening debriefs and preparation for the week ahead.
Activities focus primarily on trust building, icebreakers, problem solving, group discussion, and group assessment.
Day 2
Whole Day
Each day begins with an outdoor activity such as team-building games, hiking, climbing, kayaking, or whitewater rafting. Activities will be designed to build and reinforce trust throughout the program.
Day 3 - 7
Morning
Each evening offers a relaxing group activity such as outdoor meditation, storytelling around a campfire, fishing, time at the gym, nature walks, board games, or stargazing.
Evening
Participants enjoy breakfast together, participate in a closing ceremony, and complete a program evaluation and reflection.
Day 8
Morning
Resources
For program details and questions, please explore the resources below:
Program Overview (ENG) - PDF
Program Overview (UA) - PDF
FAQs - PDF
Hero’s Compass Brief 2025 - PDF
Hero’s Compass Q1 2025 Impact Report - PDF
Still have questions? Email us.
Special Partnerships
Building Impact Through Collaborative Veteran Support Initiatives
DTCare continually seeks innovative partnerships to deliver impactful support for Ukrainian veterans. Through close collaboration with pioneering organizations, we are proud to highlight partnership programs advancing veteran healing and reintegration:
Heroes Glory Golf
Rehabilitation Through Sport
In partnership with Heroes Glory, a leading Ukrainian nonprofit, we are supporting the Heroes Glory Golf program—a transformative initiative harnessing golf’s therapeutic benefits for Ukrainian veterans. By providing year-round access to indoor simulators and the Kozyn Eco-Recreational Golf Center, the program delivers adaptive training, peer-led facilitation, and structured tournaments. Veterans experience measurable improvements in physical and emotional well-being, while top performers proudly represent Ukraine at national and international golf competitions. This partnership creates accessible pathways for recovery, resilience, and community.
VETERANKA
Healing for Women Veterans
DTCare, in alliance with the Women’s Veteran Movement VETERANKA and See the Victory Foundation, is leading immersive, nature-based retreats in the Carpathian Mountains for female veterans. Hero’s Compass is an 8-day counseling program blending outdoor adventure, art therapy, and community support. This partnership provides a safe, restorative environment where women veterans find mutual understanding, regain strength, and receive comprehensive care, including free eye diagnostics and support. Together, we are fostering empowerment, unity, and new beginnings for Ukraine’s women veterans.
B.R.A.V.E with Joe Brazzle
Advancing Veteran Peer Support
DTCare partnered with U.S.-licensed therapist Joe Brazzle for the Brave Training facilitator program in Truskavets. Utilizing the evidence-based T4 model—Trust, Try, Transform, Transition—this initiative is building local capacity by training veterans, art therapists, and managers to lead Adventure-Based Counseling for their peers. With a blend of online coursework and intensive in-person sessions, participants gained the skills needed to create group trust, support psychological growth, and become community leaders. Our partnership is actively expanding the network of veteran facilitators equipped to guide others on their path to resilience.
Interested in partnering with Hero’s Compass?
Our team collaborates with organizations, charities, groups, and experts to bring adventure-based counseling and rehab services to women and men veterans in Ukraine. Together, we stand with those who defended Ukraine. To partner, please contact us below.
New Scholarship Pathway in Prosthetics & Orthotics
Master’s Program Opportunity at TNMU for Ukrainian Veterans
Hero’s Compass, in partnership with Ternopil National Medical University (TNMU), is advancing a fully funded master’s program in prosthetics and orthotics for Ukrainian veterans. The initiative awards 14 scholarships, preparing veterans to become specialists in physical rehabilitation for those injured in the war.
The scholarship program supports veteran reintegration, enabling participants to launch meaningful new careers while directly improving rehabilitation services for Ukraine’s injured communities. Graduates will help shape a new professional community rooted in lived military experience and rehabilitation expertise.
As of May 2025, official acceptances have been sent to 8 applicants who will need to relocate to Ternopil in western Ukraine. The program was promoted via veteran communities, social media, NGOs, and rehabilitation centers. Once applicants have been selected, the program is slated to launch at TNMU, a leader in medical education and rehabilitation in Ukraine.
What the Scholarship Covers
Full tuition for the master’s program (1 year, 10 months, full-time)
Free accommodation
All educational and practical equipment provided
Expert instruction from international faculty
Legal and documentation support
Monthly stipend
Participation in the Hero’s Compass fellowship retreat (includes psychological support and mentoring)
Job placement assistance after graduation
Eligibility and Admissions
Applicants must be veterans with a degree in health care, biology, mechanical or chemical engineering, bioengineering, physical education, or rehabilitation. The process includes an English proficiency score (EVI 2023–2025 or oral interview) and a professional entrance exam.
Interested in Applying or Partnering with Us?
Contact us to learn more about this unique opportunity to support veterans and strengthen Ukraine’s healthcare sector.
DTCare's Inaugural Hero’s Compass Retreat
A Path to Healing for Ukrainian Veterans
DTCare successfully completed its inaugural Hero's Compass session, a pioneering adventure-based counseling program designed to support Ukrainian veterans in their transition to civilian life, in August 2024. Held from July 26 to August 2, 2024, the program brought together eight veterans for an immersive experience emphasizing resilience, camaraderie, and personal growth. Participants engaged in various outdoor activities, including white-water kayaking, hiking, and rock climbing, which pushed personal boundaries and fostered teamwork. Complementing these physical challenges were art therapy sessions, emotional intelligence workshops, and legal consultations, offering a comprehensive approach to healing and recovery. Adventure-based counseling has demonstrated effectiveness in addressing the unique challenges faced by veterans, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. By creating a supportive community and encouraging shared experiences, Hero's Compass participants reported increased connection and a renewed sense of purpose. The program's impact extends beyond the eight-day retreat, with participants receiving ongoing support through online counseling, legal guidance, and mentorship. DTCare is dedicated to supporting Ukrainian veterans on their path to healing and recovery, working together to create a brighter and more hopeful future for those who have sacrificed so much.
16% ⬇
decrease (from 44%) of participants feeling cut off form other people.
32% ⬇
decrease (from 48%) of participants struggling with anhedonia.
32% ⬇
decrease (from 60%) of participants struggling with insomnia.
24% ⬇
decrease (from 36%) of participants struggling with concentration.
32% ⬇
decrease (from 44%) of participants feeling strong emotional numbness.
44% ⬇
decrease (from 56%) of participants with regular anger outbursts.
24% ⬇
decrease (from 32%) of participants experiencing anxiety.
Legal and Career Support for Veterans
How DTCare Helps Those Who Defended Ukraine
One of the key areas of DTCare's work in Ukraine is to support veterans, individuals who have returned from war and face daily challenges of adapting to civilian life. DTCare provides legal, psychological, and career support through the Hero's Compass program, as well as in partnership with other initiatives.
Legal Assistance
Every day, thousands of veterans need advice on benefits, land issues, status, inheritance, alimony, and court proceedings. DTCare offers:
Individual legal consultations online and offline;
Assistance in drafting documents (applications, complaints, appeals, inquiries to the authorities);
Support in solving complex housing, family, and social issues;
Legal education activities that explain to veterans their rights in plain language.
DTCare lawyers have practical experience in veterans' affairs and process dozens of applications from combatants and their families every month. Special attention is paid to veterans who do not have access to legal services in rural areas or have limited resources.
Career Support
In a survey conducted in October 2024, an estimated 33% of veterans reported an unmet need for employment. With a total of 1,351,109 registered veterans in Ukraine as of early 2025, this means approximately 450,369 individuals are currently facing difficulties in finding suitable jobs or employment opportunities.
Despite these findings, many veterans do not actively raise employment-related concerns during support programs. For example, participants in the Hero’s Compass program rarely request assistance with job placement or career development. This may reflect a lack of familiarity with seeking employment support, as well as limited awareness of available veteran career services and employment resources.
Working with Lobby X is the Best Solution for Veterans
DTCare recommends that veterans seeking employment explore the Lobby X platform: https://veterans.thelobbyx.com
Lobby X is a trusted Ukrainian job portal that partners with leading employers committed to hiring veterans. The platform offers comprehensive career support to help veterans successfully transition into civilian jobs:
Personalized career counseling, guiding veterans from their job search through to successful employment
Professional resume writing and direct referrals to companies actively seeking to employ veterans
Access to online courses and training programs to build new skills and knowledge
Psychological support during the employment search, if needed
Career planning assistance, including guidance on choosing industries where veterans can excel
Lobby X has proven to be the most effective job placement platform for veterans in Ukraine. For veterans looking for job opportunities or career support services, DTCare highly recommends making use of Lobby X’s resources.
What’s Next?
DTCare plans to:
Systematically monitor the need for career support among its participants;
Establish a partnership with the Lobby X platform for quick referrals of veterans;
Involve employment experts in the educational activities of the Hero's Compass program;
Pilot own micro-programs for retraining in selected areas (logistics, IT, technical specialties).
What People Are Saying
Sign up today
Start your journey to healing and recovery by joining our next Hero’s Compass session.
Connect
Instagram / @dtcareofficial, @heroscompass, @dtcareua
Facebook / DTCare, Hero’s Compass, DTCare UA
How Hero’s Compass Meets the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Goal 4: Quality Education
By addressing the mental health needs of veterans, Hero’s Compass works to reduce symptoms of trauma and provides vital mental health resources.
Hero’s Compass implements evidence-based interventions and educates participants on mental health awareness and coping mechanisms.
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Hero’s Compass provides equal opportunities for both male and female veterans to access holistic therapy and support.
By targeting veterans needing mental health support, Hero’s Compass reduces inequalities in access to psychological services.
Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Hero’s Compass collaborates with various professionals and organizations to implement a comprehensive and tailored adventure-based counseling program.
Hero's Compass addresses the consequences of conflict, promotes peace by supporting those affected, and works towards building resilient veterans.