The Years of Work Behind Every Future Service Dog
Train to Assist
In June 2024, the Israel Guide Dog Center received an extraordinary gift from our sister school, The Seeing Eye in Morristown, New Jersey: a young German Shepherd puppy named Peggy.
While Peggy would never become a Guide Dog herself, she had an equally important purpose. She was selected to become part of the Center’s carefully managed breeding program, helping produce future Guide Dogs, PTSD Service Dogs, and Emotional Support Dogs for Israelis who need them.
But before Peggy could ever become a mother, an incredible amount of work had to happen.
For more than a year, Peggy lived with a dedicated volunteer puppy raiser in the United States. Every day was part of a structured developmental program designed not simply to raise a well-behaved dog, but to prepare her for the important role she would one day play. She experienced busy city sidewalks, quiet neighborhoods, parks, beaches, grocery stores, restaurants, synagogues, and countless everyday environments.
Inspire
Everywhere she went, Peggy served another important purpose—introducing people to the Israel Guide Dog Center and sharing the story of the life-changing work made possible through service dogs.
She also began learning Hebrew commands long before she ever arrived in Israel. The dogs raised through our program work alongside Israeli clients, so their training begins with the language they will use throughout their working lives. Even something as simple as hearing “Kelev tov!” (“Good dog!”) became part of preparing Peggy for her future.
This is what many people never see.
Behind every future service dog is an international network of partners, volunteers, veterinarians, trainers, foster families, and supporters working together across thousands of miles.
Transporting a breeding dog safely from one country to another. Carefully monitoring health and genetics. Matching dogs with experienced foster families. Planning breeding timelines.
Investing years before a single puppy is born.
And even then, there are no guarantees.
Like so much of our work, breeding future service dogs is about thinking years ahead, not weeks ahead. Every decision is made with one goal in mind: giving future Israelis the opportunity to live more independently with a highly trained canine partner by their side.
Love
In June 2025, Peggy made Aliyah to Israel, where she joined a loving foster family and continued her journey under the guidance of the Center’s breeding team.
There were setbacks along the way. Not every breeding attempt was successful. But meaningful work often requires patience, persistence, and faith in the process.
Then, on May 17, 2026, everything came together.
Peggy welcomed her very first litter: five healthy boys and two beautiful girls.
Seven tiny puppies.
Seven new journeys beginning.
Over the coming months and years, these puppies will be lovingly raised, carefully socialized, and professionally trained. Some will become Guide Dogs for Israelis who are blind or visually impaired. Others may become PTSD Service Dogs for veterans and survivors of trauma or Emotional Support Dogs for children and adults with special needs.
One litter has the potential to change dozens of lives over the years—not only through the puppies themselves, but through future generations that may continue Peggy’s remarkable legacy.
Support
When you support the Israel Guide Dog Center, you’re investing in much more than a puppy.
You’re investing in years of preparation, international partnerships, expert training, dedicated volunteers, and a vision that stretches far beyond today.
Because transforming lives doesn’t begin when a dog graduates.
It begins years earlier—with people willing to believe in what those tiny paws can one day accomplish.
And for that, we are grateful for your friendship and support!
