The Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind enables blind and visually-impaired Israelis to achieve independence, mobility and self-esteem through working partnerships with guide dogs. Since our founding in 1991, we have facilitated more than 700 partnerships for blind and vision impaired Israelis.
The dogs we use for breeding provide most of our puppies, though some are donated by generous colleagues in the International Guide Dog Federation. Puppies are weaned and given to Puppy Raisers for a year to be socialized. They meet new people, go work, to university, shopping at malls or supermarkets, visiting friends or restaurants and traveling on buses and trains to prepare them for lives as guide dogs. The Puppy Raisers provide time, effort, love and care with support and training from the Center.
At the age of 12 to 14 months, the dogs return to the IGDCB and are assessed for suitability as guide dogs, dogs for PTSD or companion dogs. Those found appropriate to become Guide Dogs begin five months of intensive training. Each dog is then matched with a client who has also gone through a screening process and assessment to determine suitability as a guide dog user. The students then attend a four-week training course - three weeks at the Center and one week at home where they adjust to the routine of normal life. A typical partnership usually lasts 8 to 9 years. At that point, most dogs must be retired and their partners must retrain with a new dog to maintain their independence. When our dogs are ready to retire, we make sure that they live out their lives in comfort and security.
Dogs trained as Service Dogs for IDF veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder go through a 3 months training program. Companion dogs are given to Families with Special Needs, primarily children on the autism spectrum.