Meetings on Four – Human and Dog: Meet the Gefen Project
- Background
Children in Israel cope with emotional loads, social difficulties and daily pressures, and sometimes the greatest support can come from the most unexpected place: through an encounter with a dog. This is exactly the idea behind “Meetings on Four – Human and Dog”, an experiential-educational program that takes place within the framework of the Gefen Project and is implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.
Unconditional love: when a dog and a child meet
What makes a dog so special in the eyes of children and adults alike? A dog doesn’t judge – it responds to what is genuine. If a child is calm and present, the dog will be calm and approachable; if there is tension or fear, the dog will read it immediately. This is a natural body language that teaches communication, self-control and inner stability. This is exactly where the magic of Meetings on Four – Human and Dog takes place: the children learn about real communication, about boundaries and about the connection between emotion and behavior.
- Explanation
How does it work in practice?
The program is based on weekly meetings in which a group of students, an experienced dog trainer and a trained dog meet together. In each meeting the message is clear: to create a connection with the dog you have to be honest, stable and self-aware.
During the meetings the children develop several important skills:
- Communication without words: understanding how body language and tone affect the dog’s response.
- Trust and leadership: how to lead without force, but through stability and confidence.
- Emotional regulation: identifying feelings of frustration, fear and anger and learning to manage them in a constructive way.
- Responsibility and empathy: treating every animal – and every person – with an approach of respect and care.
- Continued
Much more than “just a game”
The dog is not merely a participant, it is a full partner. Through creating a connection with it, the children develop a deep understanding of interpersonal relationships, healthy boundaries and cooperation. They learn to talk less and listen more – a state that is sometimes hard to grasp in a regular classroom, but becomes natural in meetings with an animal that responds to who they really are.
- Summary
Why the Gefen Project in particular?
The program is part of an official framework whose aim is to provide a response to diverse emotional and social needs. With the help of the Gefen Project, professional, planning-based work takes place, in which every meeting is documented and monitored in order to create real and stable change over time. The meetings are run by professionals, including a certified dog trainer who ensures a safe and empowering experience for all participants.
Meetings on Four – Human and Dog are suitable for a wide range of students and settings:
✔ Kindergartens and elementary schools
✔ Special education and classes with special emotional needs
✔ Middle schools and at-risk youth
✔ Educational settings with behavioral challenges
For more details and registration, click here.
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