that program may end up as dogs who
assist with post-traumatic stress disorder and helping people with issues
such as autism and other therapeutic
services.
Funds are raised at the Canadian
branch through donations and
bequests as well as through Mitzvah
Projects where students learn about
the program and share their time and
experience afterwards with the
congregations.
Countless personal donations from
across Canada also help fund the project from individuals who see the benefit the program has to all citizens of
Israel who benefit from being paired
with a dog.
Arkady Balanovsky, who now lives
in Toronto, knows first hand the lifechanging impact this program can
have on those who require assistance.
Three years ago, Arkady began experiencing a drastic deterioration in his
eyesight due to Retinitis Pigmentosa.
As his conditioned worsened, he was
partnered with Batchi, a yellow lab/
golden retriever cross.
He also had to adapt his life from
managing raw materials in a factory
to training and learning to work with
clients at a rehab clinic in Israel that
provides massage therapy to mentally
challenged people in wheelchairs.
“As a child I always loved dogs, but I
was too busy with sports and other activities like music to have a dog—as I
knew that you needed to have time to
devote to a dog. When I lost my sight
and learned about a guide dog, I was
immediately interested. And now
that I have Batchi, I can't say enough
good things about him,” he said. “He's
a big part of my life. He's my best
friend, who always wants to help me
and please me. He's with me all the
time. And now I cannot imagine my
life without a dog.”
Balanovsky noted there are many
challenges for both owner and dog
when they are first matched.
“Batchi is my first dog, so there were
many things that I needed to learn—
both about guide dogs and dogs in
general,” he said adding it took a while
to learn about his mannerisms and
behaviour, and for Batchi to adapt
to his too.
“Now, we know each other well and
feel what each other needs. We work
in harmony,” he said.
Assistance dogs are very aware of
their job and do not deviate from their
duties. However, Balanovsky says that
Batchi is a playful dog too who loves to
meet people.
“Perhaps that people think that guide
dogs are all about work, but Batchi loves
people and interacting with people,” he
said. “He's a dog, and when he isn't
working he loves to play and interact
with people.”
He said since he met Batchi, he has
learned that a person needs structure
and order in their daily life, and
Batchi gives him a sense of structure.
“I need to be organized and consistent
with Batchi, to walk him, feed him,
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