Israel Guide Dogs Center

Job Details

The Israel Guide Dog Center is dedicated to improving the lives of visually impaired Israelis through the faithful assistance of a guide dog. Our 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.  A PTSD service dog detects when people are stressed or anxious, e.g., they hear labored breathing. Then, the dogs interrupt the increasing anxiety by distracting the person, offering comfort by hugging them (jumping with two or four paws), and licking the person’s face. When the dogs realize their partners are having a nightmare, flashback, or panic attack, they are trained to disrupt the episode and offer comfort.

IGDC is 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. Emotional Support Dogs bring many benefits to those with special needs. They provide support and unconditional love and companionship 24/7, they encourage social interaction and help break down walls of isolation, and promote mental and physical health.

israelguidedog.org/