A therapeutic revolution in the Haifa District and Western Galilee: Therapy Dog Workshops are underway, allowing children to deal with emotional challenges in an experiential and unique way. The innovative service allows children to participate in a personal empowerment process through interaction with dogs, with the process guided by certified therapists from the Ofri Leibel Therapy Dog Center.
What is therapy dog training?
Therapy dogs are an experiential therapy method that allows children to develop self-confidence, cope with fears and emotions, improve emotional regulation, and enhance their sense of competence. The unique qualities of dogs, such as their spontaneous responses, unconditional acceptance, and nonverbal language, inspire trust, empathy, and identification. This creates a supportive environment that allows children to deal with emotional and social difficulties in a natural and enjoyable way.
The demand is great.
"Registration for the workshops opened only three weeks ago, and the great interest surprised us as well," says Orit Avraham, director of workshops outside the basket at Klalit in the Haifa and Western Galilee district, who initiated the operation of the workshop in the Haifa, Kiryat and Western Galilee areas. "Parents are flooding the workshop center with inquiries, and demand is increasing. This is a new and unique service, and we are excited to see how many parents are looking for innovative therapeutic solutions for their children."
Where are the workshops held?
The first workshops opened at the Romema Clinic in Haifa, in the workshop hall in the Kiryon Towers 2 and at the Clalit Givat Alonim Clinic in Kiryat Ata. Over the next month, workshops will also open at the Tamra Clinic and the Tzur Shalom Clinic, where they will be held on the clinic's beautiful patio. Orit adds that "registration for the workshops is ongoing and additional workshops will soon open at the Clalit Shaprinzak Clinics in Haifa, the Child Development Institute in Shfaram and the Emek Hashalom Clinic in Yokneam, and later they will open widely in clinics throughout the district."
Affordable price and quality service
The workshops are designed for children ages 4-12 and are held in small groups of only eight children to ensure personal attention and provide an optimal treatment experience. Clalit offers the service at an affordable price – only 300 NIS for eight sessions.
Dana, a mother of two children participating in the workshop, says: "My two sons left the first session of the workshop happy today! They didn't stop talking about Milo the dog until they went to bed and are already looking forward to the next session. They really enjoyed the experiential session. The instructor is charming, explained calmly and patiently, and let the children experience and experiment.
A groundbreaking move in emotional therapy
Clalit's therapy dog workshops in Haifa and Western Galilee mark a new era in emotional therapy for children. The new service joins a series of innovative therapeutic initiatives led by Clalit, with the goal of providing children with the best tools for emotional and social growth.
Ronen Nudelman, Director of the Haifa and Western Galilee District at Klalit, summarizes:
The launch of the therapeutic dog training workshops is another step in our journey to provide innovative services tailored to the emotional needs of children. We strive to provide a holistic solution that includes not only advanced medicine, but also emotional therapies and mental support. The bond between children and dogs creates a safe and empowering space, and we see this as a mission to continue developing additional services of this type.
Parents are invited to join the new therapeutic revolution and give their children the opportunity for a strengthening, educational, and meaningful experience.
For more information and to register for workshops, please call *5544 or 04-6294650.
Congratulations to the Clalit Health Fund.