Many of Israel’s newest heroes have four paws

One of the words heard most frequently in Israel since October 7 has been “trauma.”

It’s pronounced the same in Hebrew as in English. And it has hit Israelis of all ages in a way that’s unprecedented, even for many who lived through Israel’s wars from 1948-73.

That’s because Israel’s most vulnerable – seniors, children and people with illnesses and disabilities – were among those murdered or kidnapped by Hamas and most who were kidnapped continue to be held.

It’s also because of a sense that Israelis were betrayed by those heading official institutions responsible for their security and quality of life.

But during these last few weeks, new heroes have emerged. There have been many news reports about retired Israeli Defense Forces who helped save lives during the early hours of the attack and ordinary citizens around the country participating in all sorts of rescue and assistance ever since.

There are also plenty of organizations that have helped. One of them features heroes who have four paws – Israel Guide Dog Center.

Since before statehood, dogs have been part of Israel’s defense. The current Oketz Unit (Oketz is the Hebrew word for “Sting.”) of the IDF has existed since 1974 and has been known to the public since 1988.

Among the IDF dog trainers during the 1980s was a paratrooper named Noach Braun. As an animal lover, he wanted to continue to work with guide dogs when he left the military.

He was starting from scratch. Despite Israel’s medical innovations in helping patients with vision problems and military veterans with post-traumatic stress, the country did not have a guide dog program for more than 40 years after statehood.

In 1986, Braun came to the United States and met a Pennsylvania motor lodge owner named Norman Leventhal. Leventhal was involved in the campaign to free Refuseniks – Jews trying to leave the old Soviet Union. The two men exchanged campaigns. Braun helped Leventhal with the campaign to help Soviet Jews and Leventhal helped Braun with the creation of a guide dog program for Israel. While Braun trained to become a guide, his wife became involved in dog breeding.

In 1991, they started their first on-site center in Netanya. Today, the main campus of Israel Guide Dog Center is located in Beit Oved, south of Tel Aviv. The campus was created with support from a British philanthropist, Lady Elizabeth Kaye.

Original clients were IDF military or veterans with vision problems or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The clientele has expanded considerably. Today, guide, PTSD assistance and emotional support dogs work with both military and civilians. The organization has dog breeding and training programs as well. Most dogs are retrievers, but the organization is experimenting with using dogs of other breeds – including donated dogs – and does use other breeds when clients have allergy issues.

Israel Guide Dog Center has support organizations in the United States, Canada and Great Britain. (Visit israelguidedog.org for more information.) Fund-raising programs include Mitzvah projects for students and various ways to sponsor dogs, including the naming of new puppies.

In South Florida, the importance of guide and emotional support dogs and other animals became publicly apparent after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in 2018 and the Champlain Towers South building collapse in Surfside in 2021. The animals have proved crucial in the mental health progress of those directly affected.

In Israel in recent weeks, the dogs have provided help and comfort across all ages and backgrounds in places such as hospitals and schools. Israel Guide Dog Center workers and volunteers have been rescuing stray dogs in attacked or evacuated areas. The organization has also been mourning a client, Dor Shapir, and Shapir’s partner, Savion Kiper, who were among those killed at the music festival that was attacked. Shapir’s guide dog, named Doris, is at the center complex.

Israel Guide Dog Center’s website includes a quote by Helen Keller: “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.”

This has been the darkest time for the State of Israel. These four-legged friends are helping Israelis return to the light.

Sylvia Gurinsky is a resident of Davie and a tour guide.