Star the dog is living up to his name on the campus of Ben-Gurion University in Beersheba. The black-and-white border collie belonged to the university's late director general, Tal Ben-Haim, who died of cancer this past summer. Ben-Haim and university President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz were close friends, thanks in part to Star. After Chamovitz became seriously ill with COVID-19, walks with the dog helped him recover.
In October, Chamovitz was interviewed by Yedioth Ahronoth and ynet, and a photo of him with Star sparked considerable curiosity among readers. Following Ben-Haim's death, a temporary home had to be found for the dog until his family could resume caring for him. Chamovitz immediately volunteered to look after the dog that had once helped him. Now, when Star goes for walks around campus, he is sometimes accompanied by students who have volunteered to take him out.
Noy Yogev, a student who recently took office as chair of the student union, said the idea of recruiting students to help care for Star came up during a routine meeting with the university president.
"I came to the meeting with the president to discuss other matters," said Yogev, whose attention was immediately drawn to the dog, who spends much of his time in the president's office. "I really love dogs, and I was very moved when I heard Star's story. We started talking about him, and I suggested that perhaps students could take Star for walks. Prof. Chamovitz's eyes lit up. At a student assembly, I asked if anyone would be willing to take on the project, and we immediately opened a WhatsApp group called 'Team Star.'"
Prof. Chamovitz and Star in his office
(Photo: Herzl Yosef)
Yogev added: "Prof. Chamovitz sends updates about Star, and students come to walk him whenever needed. It's a really lovely group. Students here do a lot of volunteer work in the community, and we were all happy to help out by taking Star for walks. He draws a lot of attention whenever we walk around with him."
And for anyone wondering, students do not earn academic credit for walking Star. He's a special dog who touches everyone's hearts.
The star of the campus
(Photo: Ben-Gurion University)
Students do not receive academic credit for walking Star
(Photo: Ben-Gurion University)
Duval Fridgut, a second-year student studying geography and Israel studies at Ben-Gurion University, said: "We knew the dog could end up being passed between animal welfare organizations or wind up with the municipal veterinarian. Ben-Gurion students are known for being highly involved in social causes, so I wasn't surprised that so many people stepped up to help.
"I agreed to lead Team Star, first of all because I really love dogs, even though I don't have one. Second, simply because, why not? He's a sweet dog who needs help. And like everyone in recent years, when we see that something needs to be done, we ask ourselves: If not me, then who?"