054-811-7706

Paws & People – Humans and Dogs

An Educational and Emotional Development Program, in Collaboration with and Approved by the Ministry of Education • GEFEN Program

In a world where children face emotional stress, insecurity, social challenges, and daily pressures, sometimes all they need is to connect with someone who understands without words.

A dog does not judge, criticize, or punish. It responds to emotions, body language, and genuine presence.

This is how “Paws & People – Humans and Dogs” was born: an experiential educational process in which students learn through dogs about themselves, about others, and about building meaningful relationships based on listening, responsibility, and empathy.

מפגשים על ארבע - אדם וכלב: הכירו את פרויקט גפ"ן

FAQ

What is the goal of the program?

The program is designed to help students develop emotional and social skills through meaningful, hands-on interaction with a dog and a professional instructor.

Through experience rather than lectures, children discover how nonverbal communication works, what calm and non-forceful leadership looks like, and the importance of healthy boundaries, responsibility, empathy, facing fears, emotional regulation, and accepting differences.

 
 

The program is suitable for a wide range of educational settings:

✔ Kindergartens, elementary schools, and middle schools
✔ Special education programs, communication classes, and students with behavioral or emotional difficulties
✔ At-risk youth, residential schools, and welfare frameworks
✔ Schools in community-based, urban, or conflict-line areas

One session per week, lasting 60–120 minutes.

The total number of sessions per year is determined by the number of school weeks.

Sessions are held in the classroom, schoolyard, or an open outdoor space, depending on the available conditions.

Each session is led by a professional instructor and includes a highly trained dog—a working dog, therapy dog, or demonstration dog—according to the group’s needs.

 
 

✔ How dogs “read” us through body language and tone of voice—without any words at all
✔ The difference between forceful authority and calm, respectful leadership
✔ How to build trust and attentiveness—not through shouting, but through consistency and self-confidence
✔ How to overcome a fear of dogs in a safe, gradual, and non-threatening way
✔ Emotional regulation—what to do when we feel frustrated, angry, or unsuccessful
✔ Empathy, responsibility, care, and sensitivity toward others—both people and animals
✔ Teamwork, mutual listening, and cooperation among children

 
 

A dog responds to what is truly present—not to what we say.

When we are tense, the dog becomes excited. When we are calm, the dog feels safe and trusts us.

Students quickly learn that building a connection with a dog requires honesty, consistency, clear boundaries, and an open heart.

The same principles apply to relationships with people. And when that understanding takes hold, real change begins.

 
 

✔ Extensive experience delivering programs in educational institutions, welfare settings, and schools throughout Israel
✔ An official GEFEN program, delivered in collaboration with and approved by the Ministry of Education
✔ Highly trained, emotionally stable dogs that are well suited to working with children
✔ Tailored to each age group and level of ability
✔ A unique combination of professionalism, sensitivity, positive discipline, and an unforgettable experience

 
 

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