Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has become an unlikely training ground for dozens of future guide dogs, as students across campus raise puppies as part of the early stages of their guide-dog training.
The young dogs file into lectures, roam between labs and lawns, and occasionally fall asleep under classroom tables. They are not campus pets but guide-dog trainees living with foster families during their first year of socialization.
About 150 puppies begin training each year through the Israel Guide Dog Center. Roughly one third of them spend their days on the Ben-Gurion campus with their foster families — mostly students who balance coursework with a demanding volunteer commitment. According to the center, about 75 percent of foster families in Israel are students at higher education institutions, with Ben-Gurion representing the largest group.
Most of the dogs are Labrador retrievers, German shepherds or golden retrievers, the main breeds used for guide work.
A new on-campus dog park was recently dedicated for the puppies, providing a secure space for exercise and play. The park was donated through an initiative led by Jeff Kay, a vice president at the university, after administrators noted that both students and puppies needed an off-leash area.
“For the university it’s a natural fit with our commitment to community engagement and strengthening Israeli society,” Kay said. “Students join the project not only for scholarships or academic credit, but because they want to do something meaningful beyond their routine studies.”
The park was donated by siblings John and Lori from the United States in memory of their brother Paul, who died after a long battle with lung cancer. During his hospitalization, therapy dogs visited him regularly, which the family described as rare moments of relief during a difficult time.
Construction of the park included specific planning for the dogs’ needs. Kay noted that the university imported a special synthetic grass designed to reduce odor.
Faculty members have also embraced the program. Some are accustomed to sleepy puppies resting beneath desks, and many professors greet the “unregistered students” with affection as they enter the room.
Among the volunteer foster families are graduate students Adam Lopez Moalem, 30, and Stav Adi Feldman, 28, who are raising Doni, a 16-month-old guide-dog trainee — their second. Lopez Moalem is pursuing a master’s degree in information systems engineering with a concentration in computational medicine, and Feldman is completing a master’s in life sciences with a focus on bioinformatics.
“The experience with our first dog was so meaningful that we had no doubt we wanted to do it again,” they said. “It requires responsibility and patience, especially while studying for a master’s degree, but knowing the dog will eventually change someone’s life makes everything worth it.”
Their first foster dog, Yami, now lives with his partner family. The couple said they remain in close touch and even celebrated Yami’s birthday together. Doni arrived from New York at five months old after staying with a foster family there.
Shani Levy, a computer and information sciences student, is raising Noli, a five-month-old black Labrador. “I always wanted a dog,” she said. “When I realized I could fulfill that dream and also contribute to society, it was perfect.” Noli joins her in classes and even at the gym. “She usually falls asleep during lectures, but her presence brings calm,” Levy said.
Levy admitted she tries not to think about the eventual separation. “I’m pushing it aside for now. I know the goal is worth the difficulty. Noli will help someone who is blind or someone who needs emotional support. That’s everything.”
Erez Barkai, the Israel Guide Dog Center’s director of community relations and accessibility coordinator, has used guide dogs for more than 16 years. He stressed the importance of the students’ role.
“The foster families are the heart of the training process,” Barkai said. “They teach the puppies how to behave at home and in public spaces. Without these families — especially the students — we couldn’t continue the program.”