The Israel Guide Dog Center is dedicated to improving the lives of visually impaired Israelis through the faithful assistance of a guide dog. The Center’s amazing dogs provide mobility, independence, and self-confidence, to clients in need. The dogs are specially trained to meet Israel’s rigorous and challenging environment. The Israel Guide Dog Center serves Israel’s 24,000 blind and visually impaired and is the only internationally accredited guide dog program in the country.
Many IDF soldiers and veterans, as well as other Israelis, suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)—a debilitating illness characterized by recurring nightmares, frequent panic attacks, depression, and other trauma symptoms. Often, those with PTSD fear sleep because persistent nightmares torment and awaken them.
Israel Guide Dog Center has begun a program of training service dogs in special skills to help IDF veterans and soldiers suffering from these devastating effects of trauma. Studies—and reports from Israel Guide Dog Center’s PTSD clients—demonstrate PTSD service dogs can significantly alleviate the frequency and severity of trauma symptoms.
We are one of the few organizations providing Emotional Support Dogs in Israel to meet this need. Children on the autism spectrum, children who are blind, IDF soldiers with PTSD and other adults with Special Needs can all benefit from a loving relationship with a four-legged best friend.