FIDF program provides therapy dogs for heroes of Israel.
I love dogs; I think they are the best. As a dog owner, I know the special relationship dogs have with their owners is magical. I bring this up because I just got back from Israel where I was able to meet two therapy dogs, Alfie and Jadah, that I donated to the IDF through a new program through the Friends of the IDF.
Rick Bloom
As many of you know, the wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran have taken a terrible toll on the soldiers of the IDF. PTSD has become a real problem. The Friends of the IDF are addressing this by training therapy dogs to help the heroes of Israel who defend our land and our people.
On my recent trip to Israel, not only was I able to meet the dogs I donated, but I also got to meet the soldier, Eyal, who is partnered with Jadah. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was.
Eyal is a true hero of Israel who is suffering with PTSD. He told me that before Jadah, he was not even able to leave his house, and it had a devastating effect on his family. Thanks to Jadah, he and his family are once again leading a normal life.
I cannot tell you how wonderful that felt for me to know that during these difficult and troubling times, I was able to make a difference in the life of someone who has dedicated his life to protecting Israel and the Jewish people.
I feel through the Friends of the IDF PTSD Therapy Dog Program that I hit the trifecta. I was able to help a true hero of Israel, I was able to name the dogs in honor and in memory of two very special dogs in my life, and I was also able to see firsthand how my donation truly made a difference in someone life.
Alphie
For anyone who knows the magical power that dogs have and who is looking to truly make a difference in the life of an Israeli soldier, I would encourage you to consider donating a therapy dog yourself. Whether you do it on your own or with a group of people, your donation will go a long way in helping Israel recover from this horrible war.
Although I am a donor, I feel more like a beneficiary in the fact that I can’t think of anything that gave me more joy in that I was able to combine the two loves of my life — dogs and Israel. If you participate in this program, you may not get to meet your dog nor the person who ultimately receives your dog; however, if you are a dog lover, you’ll know how much love and affection your dog will bring to someone in need, and I can tell you that it is a wonderful feeling.
All too often when we donate money, we’re never sure if our money was well spent or who benefited from our generosity. I can tell you that by donating money to buy a PTSD therapy dog through the Friends of the IDF, your money will make a difference. It will make a difference to the soldier who receives your dog, their family and to Israel.
You and I will, thankfully, never be in the front line of combat; however, you can help shoulder the burden of those who are by considering being involved in the PTSD Therapy Dog Program. I consider myself extremely lucky that I’ve had the opportunity to participate in this program. I hope that you put yourself in a position to be as lucky as me.
Rick Bloom is a partner at Bloom Advisors. To learn more about this wonderful program, you can contact the MI Friends of the IDF Chapter via email: michigan@fidf.org.