Dogs, known as man’s best friend, have proven to be crucial assets in treatment therapy. In Sderot, the adage takes on a deeper meaning for youth who are taking part in a special dog-training program designed to raise their self-esteem in light of the continuing rocket fire.
Chavat HaChayot, an organization based in Moshav Bet Ezra outside Ashdod, offers dog-training seminars for youth of all backgrounds in cities throughout Israel including Sderot, Ashdod, Jerusalem, Rishon LeTziyon, Ramat HaSharon, and Netanya.
In Sderot, participants, ages 13-17, are at risk youth who take part in the weekly sessions and learn how to become dog trainers. “Sderot is one the most important cities that we visit. Because of the constant Qassam rockets, youth in Sderot are especially vulnerable.” says Paul Makias, the project’s director.
Photo: Hamutal Ben Shitrit
“We are talking about at-risk Sderot youth, some of whom have stopped going to school or have difficult situations at home,” adds Makias. “By learning to become dog trainers, these kids are given another chance. They learn discipline and responsibility while undergoing therapy without being aware of it.”
The training sessions are divided into two parts, where youth first learn to build a relationship with the dogs by giving them basic commands to sit, stand, jump, etc. In the latter part of the session, the kids train the dogs to jump over obstacles. Each participant “receives” his own dog, and two professional dog trainers, a Sderot social worker, and Paul are on hand to provide support and guidance for the children.
“In the beginning of the program, these kids were aggressive, impatient and short-tempered,” says Makias. “It was amazing to see the kind of effect these dogs have had– today these same kids are noticeably more calm and gentle, interacting with the dogs much more patiently. The relationship that the kids establish with their dogs is in itself theraputic.”
Paul works in coordination with trained social worker, Avi Benita of Sderot, who believes that the dogs offer an integral form of therapy for Sderot children.”By teaching Sderot kids how to build a relationship with a dog in these training sessions, the kids begin to rebuild their sense of confidence which has been completely shattered by their personal situations at home, and further exacerbated by the sirens and Palestinian rocket attacks,” Benita told Sderot Media Center.
Photo: Hamutal Ben Shitrit
“At the end of the program, the confidence of the children increases as well their sense of purpose, while at the same time, their dog-handling skills improve and their interaction with people.”
The dog-training project was established five years ago, and the weekly visits to Sderot have been going on for four years to date.
Each week, Paul and his crew bring the dogs and special training equipment to cities across Israel, making Sderot their first stop every Sunday. The dogs range from a golden retriever to a pincher, and each suits itself to the needs of the child he is matched with.
“Our dogs are well familiar with the sound of the Tzeva Adom and the rocket explosions,” says Avi. “When the siren alarm sounds, the kids and the dogs enter a bomb shelter nearby our training location and wait for the rocket explosion to pass. The dogs sense the danger of the incoming rocket but they also sense the fear of the children,” says Avi.
Photo: Hamutal Ben Shitrit
“By having the dogs around the children during those moments, these Sderot kids feel slightly more at ease when the siren sounds. Nonetheless, the experience is scary for all of us each and every time the alarm sounds and a Palestinian rocket heads our way.”
Makias works with different groups of children throughout Israel, and says that his groups vary from city to city. “In Ramat HaSharon, for example, the dogs work with wealthy Israeli kids, while in Ashdod, we have a group of mentally challenged children.”
Makias has future plans for the kids and dogs that he works with. “I hope to hold a national dog competition within the next few months at a state level that will bring all these kids together,” says Makias. “I’ve held such competitions in the past but this will be the first time where Sderot youth will have the chance to participate and show off their dog-training skills with youth from across the country.”
In the meantime, the Sderot kids will prepare for the competition on a weekly basis even with the escalation of Palestinian rocket fire.
