About

Mission & History

Our Mission: Empowering Lives Through Guide & Service Dogs

The Israel Guide Dog Center (IGDC) transforms lives by creating life-changing partnerships between specially trained Guide Dogs, Service Dogs, and Emotional Support Dogs and Israelis in need. Located in Israel, the Center expertly breeds, raises, and trains each dog in Hebrew to navigate the unique realities of Israeli life and meet the specific needs of every client. Each partnership is provided completely free of charge. In the United States, we raise critical funds and build awareness to sustain and expand this life-changing work.

Nine light-colored Labrador Retriever puppies cuddle together in a light plastic dog bed, looking up with curious and gentle expressions. The background is tiled, suggesting an indoor setting.

Founding Story of the Israel Guide Dog Center

The Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind began as a dream of a young paratrooper in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). A lifelong animal lover, Noach Braun trained dogs in the IDF for military purposes.

When Noach left the military, he dreamed of continuing to work with animals—but only for man’s greater good. When Noach discovered that there was no Guide Dog school in Israel, his dream was born. He was determined to create a place where blind or visually impaired Israelis could achieve independence, confidence, and companionship that only a Guide Dog can provide.

With the support of Norman Leventhal and friends around the world, the Israel Guide Dog Center has become Israel’s only internationally accredited Guide Dog school, transforming the lives of thousands of individuals, families, and communities throughout Israel.

1986
A man kneels in a garden of orange flowers, smiling at the camera while holding a black dog on a leash.

The dream takes shape

The Israel Consulate’s office introduces Noach to Norman Leventhal, U.S. businessman & philanthropist. They meet on the first night of Hanukkah and join forces to start Israel’s first guide dog school.

1987
A man in dark clothing walks confidently on a street with a yellow guide dog. Several parked cars and buildings are visible in the background.

Starting to train

Noach is accepted to a program for guide dog instruction in Columbus, OH. He then continues his training in the UK.

1991
A golden retriever with long, light fur sits outdoors, looking at the camera with its mouth open in a happy expression. The background is blurred, showing people and greenery.

Beginning with 1 dog & a dream

Israel’s first guide dog program is founded in a small house on a moshav (agricultural community) in Netanya.

1991
A man with a guide dog walks beside another man across a city street. Cars and a sidewalk are visible in the background.

Celebrating the 1st graduate

Haim Tsur and his guide dog, Tilly.

1992
Four people kneel next to four yellow Labrador retrievers, each with a handler. They are outside in front of a corrugated turquoise fence, smiling at the camera.

Implementing latest methods

Trainers visit other schools around the world and invite expert trainers to observe the program in Israel to learn, adapt, and implement effective training methods.

1994
Aerial view of a walled compound with several buildings, parking lots, trees, and landscaped areas, surrounded by fields and a road running along one side.

Moving for the final time

The Israel Guide Dog Center moves to its permanent home in Beit Oved, Israel, 20 minutes south of Tel Aviv.

1997
Circular logo with a stylized dog outline in the center, surrounded by the blue text International Guide Dog Federation and two orange dots.

Securing worldwide acceptance

The Israel Guide Dog Center is welcomed as a full member of the International Guide Dog Federation.

2004
An older woman in a straw hat and navy shirt sits outside on the grass, holding a golden retriever on a leash. Purple flowers and green foliage fill the background.

Finishing construction

The Lady Kaye Campus, the permanent home of the Israel Guide Dog Center, is completed.

2006
Two cyclists in matching jerseys and helmets pose with a tandem bike; a yellow Labrador retriever lies on the floor in front of them. The background is dark and plain.

Establishing CanVelo

The Center starts a sports club, integrating blind Israelis with sighted members. The club promotes camaraderie, fitness, and self-confidence. CanVelo’s activities also raise awareness about the abilities of people who are blind and visually impaired.

2010
A man with a guide dog descends an escalator in a shopping mall. The dog is focused and leading the way, while the man holds the harness handle.

Incorporating modern training

The Center incorporates the Clicker Method into its guide dog training. The result: faster training times, higher numbers of qualifying puppies, and greater efficiency for our program as a whole. Most importantly, dogs trained this way are more effective, responsive guide dogs.

2011
A golden Labrador lies on a cushion, holding strings attached to pink, gold, and silver balloons floating above its head indoors.

Celebrating the graduation of our 400th partnership

2012
A child hugs and kisses a golden Labrador wearing a vest, surrounded by other children gently petting the dog.

Formalizing the PTSD and Emotional Support Programs

Dogs that don’t qualify as guide dogs are provided as support animals to IDF veterans with PTSD, families with children on the autism spectrum, and other adults with a variety of special needs.

2012
Ten yellow Labrador puppies sit in a row on a wooden bench outdoors, all facing forward with their tongues out, surrounded by green grass and bushes in the background.

Remembering our history

Blind clients, together with their guide dogs partners lead a delegation at The International March of the Living, commemorating the tens of thousands of disabled people – particularly the blind – who were among the first slaughtered by the Nazis.

2013
One-line drawing of two people; one appears distressed with a scribbled head, and the other holds a spiral, suggesting counseling or support.

Integrating psychological assessment & intervention

We pilot a program employing a clinical psychologist to help assess each client throughout the Partnership process. This initiative helps custom-tailor our program for each client – and provides counseling and support. Of particular interest is understanding and managing the depth of the grieving process when a client needs to retire a guide dog and receive a new partner.

2016
Two yellow labrador puppies walk on a light floor in front of colorful plastic obstacles shaped like dog bones. Blue, red, and yellow play structures are in the background.

Breaking Ground

Building the new Puppy Development and Enrichment Campus with the goal of doubling guide dog partnerships over the next 10 years.

2017
A soldier in uniform kneels on grass, gently holding a dog wearing a vest. The two appear to be sharing a tender moment outdoors with plants and a scenic view in the background.

Supporting our Heroes

We pilot a program to train service dogs to help IDF veterans who are suffering from service-related emotional trauma.

2021
A hand holds a smartphone displaying a photo of a yellow labrador puppy on an app called Gur, with options for likes, comments, sharing, and details below the image.

Using Technology

We create a two-way communication App, called Gur, for puppy raisers and staff. This is the first comprehensive App of its kind.

2023
A veterinarian performs an ultrasound on a dog lying on a table, while another person holds the dog still in a bright, modern clinic room.

Responding to our community

In response to rising autism rates in Israel, we pilot a program to create specific autism service dogs with the purpose of increasing safety, promoting comfort, and preventing meltdowns.

2024
Four dogs—one yellow lab, one German shepherd, one golden retriever, and one black lab—are sitting side by side facing forward on a plain white background.

Strategically Growing

The Center launched an ambitious 5-year forecast to grow our impact.

2025
A yellow labrador retriever stands on an exam table while two veterinarians perform an ultrasound scan using a monitor in a veterinary clinic.

Completion of new veterinary health & breeding center

The new facility has updated surgery & examination rooms, as well as laboratories equipped with cutting-edge technology.