A PAW
TO GUIDE
By Sarah McGoldrick
IT IS COMMON TO
SEE A VISUALLY
IMPAIRED PERSON
WALKING DOWN
THE STREET OR
AROUND A SHOP
WITH A GUIDE
The Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind
(IGDCB) provides guide dog services
similar to organizations like the Canadian
National Institute for the Blind (CNIB),
however, the organization, which is not
affiliated with the CNIB provides a unique
service. All their dogs receive instruction
in Hebrew.
This made a huge impact on the lives of
countless people in Israel who prior to
says life in Israel provides unique challenges for both dog and owner.
“Israel is very crowded and there are lots
of obstacles,” he said. “The sidewalks are
filled with light posts, bins, trees and
even cars. It’s very different from Canada.”
He said the dogs are trained to avoid
these obstacles including ducking for
trees and dealing with emergency
situations such as air raid sirens.
DOG. BUT THERE
IS A SPECIAL
BREED OF GUIDE
DOG HALF A
WORLD AWAY
THAT IS HELPING
TO BRIDGE THE
GAP BETWEEN
DISABILITIES AND
CULTURES.
the organization being established, had
to speak English and travel to other parts
of the world to receive a guide dog.
The organization has branches in the
United Kingdom, United States and in
Toronto, Canada known as the Canadian
Friends of the IGDCB. They are working
with individuals, foundations and
companies across the country to help
support the training of these dogs.
Canadian Executive Director Ayal Lesh
30 Optical Prism | May 2016
“These dogs have incredible intelligence
and temperament and the ability to learn
and adapt,” he said. He added the dogs
are placed with people throughout Israel
including Jews, Muslims, Palestinians,
Bedouin, and Druze.
It takes countless volunteer hours and
approximately $25,000 over the lifetime
of the dog.
Not all dogs end up being seeing eye
dogs, those that don’t make it through