Replacing darkness with joy
SADLY, WE have all experienced too much darkness of late following the devastating events of October 7 and the subsequent war against Hamas. But even in the darkest of days, our superhero puppies, along with their big brothers and sisters who have already graduated as guide or support dogs, have been able to bring some joy and light to those who have been affected emotionally, mentally or physically.
As part of their training, our puppies spend the first year of their lives living with puppy raisers, who acclimatise them to the sights, sounds and smells of life in Israel. Many of these puppy raisers were called up in the early days of the war but we were fortunate to be able to find others
Cheered up in a way that only a waggy tail and wet nose can manage
to take on this vital role. And as part of their work, they took the puppies to visit children who had been evacuated from their homes, as well as the injured in hospital. These visits brought much joy to those who had little to laugh about before being cheered up in a way that only a waggy tail and wet nose can manage.
Although these visits did a power of good, the real work of these amazing animals only happens once they graduate from a full programme of training. After this they become either a guide dog for someone who has lost their vision or was born blind, a support dog for someone suffering with PTSD or an emotional support dog for a child with autism, their path depending on their skills and personality. And now they are ready to be partnered with someone whose life they will transform.
Someone like Dalit who says that working in the IDF Transit Unit was nothing compared to the challenge of raising twin five-year-old boys! Dalit’s sight has gradually deteriorated over the years, and from the moment her guide dog Suki entered her life she felt “an overwhelming surge of joy”.
As Dalit says “Thanks to Suki’s unwavering companionship, I finally feel my inner confidence matches my outer appearance. I no longer feel burdened by the label of an ‘invisible disability’. Instead, I cherish the label ‘busy mum’.”
Or like Israeli actor Imri Biton (Valley of Tears) who appeared to have everything. But inside, he was being eaten up by PTSD as a result of his experiences in the IDF. His life was spiralling out of control, until he was partnered with his service dog, Chance.
Specially trained by the Israel Guide Dog Centre, Chance has transformed Imri’s life: “I feel less anxious. Chance is always with me and he is the best thing that has happened to me.”
Unfortunately, there are thousands of Israelis whose lives have been destroyed by this debilitating condition, whether through their military service or terror attacks, and we know that there will now many many more. Just as there will now be even higher demand for guide dogs due to injuries sustained in the current conflict. But thankfully, these specially trained dogs can bring joy and light back into the lives of those who may currently only be experiencing darkness and despair.
But this can only be made possible thanks to the support of generous donors here in the UK and around the world. It costs £45,000 to breed, train and support a guide dog from birth until retirement and the centre needs to raise 90 per cent of this cost from donations. The cost for a PTSD support dog is £36,000; the Israeli government does cover half of this but the other 50 per cent needs to be raised from donors. So every pound donated really does make a difference.
Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Martin Segal z”l, the executive director of Israel Guide Dog Centre UK who tragically passed away at the beginning of this year. Martin dedicated his life to the centre, planning and fundraising right up to the very end. He was a giant of a man who was an inspiration to everyone fortunate enough to have known him. He will be sadly missed. In his final days, Martin was comforted to know that Hazel Kaye would be taking over as interim executive director and that the charity he loved would, therefore, remain in good hands.
I am less anxious. Chance, my dog, is always with me