Xena, a dog rescued from the outskirts of Gaza about a week after the outbreak of the Gaza war, was found by soldiers who entered the Strip. They contacted the animal welfare group Let the Animals Live, which took her in. From there, Xena underwent rehabilitation, later helped in the rehabilitation of a prisoner, and has now found a permanent home.
Xena
(Video: Let the Animals Live)
Yael Arkin, director of Let the Animals Live, recalled: “We met her in Zikim. We transferred her from the military vehicle to ours and rushed her to our clinic in Ashkelon.” Xena had an old fracture that had already healed, but further examination revealed she was suffering from cancer. “She underwent chemotherapy, and after we supported her through recovery, we began searching for a home.”
The organization named her Xena, after the heroine of the television series Xena: Warrior Princess — both because she arrived alongside soldiers and because she had bravely endured a difficult life.
Finding her a home took time, so she was placed in the “Mutual Rehabilitation” program at Hermon Prison, where prisoners foster dogs awaiting adoption. The arrangement benefits both sides: caring for dogs brings compassion, empathy, and responsibility into the inmates’ daily lives, while the dogs adjust to a stable routine resembling home life. Families who adopt them report an easy transition.
“In prison, Xena received safety and stability, and learned how to live with people and other dogs — until Noa and Dror fell in love with her,” Arkin said.
A new lease on life for Xena
About six weeks ago, Noa Reinders-Ben Aderet, 29, visited the program during a study tour at Hermon Prison. A student at Oranim College specializing in animal-assisted therapy, she had not intended to adopt a dog — but fell in love instantly.
“We saw several dogs, but the first time I looked at Xena, I just felt she was mine,” Noa said. “The project is deeply moving, seeing what it does for both the inmates and the dogs. The prisoner who cared for her was so emotional when we adopted her, he could hardly speak.”
Noa and her husband Dror, from Tel Aviv, decided to give Xena a home. “The inmate who raised her was very attached. After the adoption, he sent us a letter describing what she meant to him and how much strength she gave him in prison — in moments of frustration and sadness. She supported him through a meaningful rehabilitative process, and he grew deeply connected to her.”
Hadas Shalosh, an education officer and director of the Mutual Rehabilitation program at Hermon Prison, explained: “The inmate who worked with Xena from the start went through a difficult journey alongside her. He invested in training her, caring for her daily, and giving her warmth and security. Through that responsibility, he learned perseverance, patience, how to create emotional bonds, and how to develop empathy.
"The process was mutual: while Xena recovered and became ready for adoption, the inmate strengthened his sense of self-worth and discovered the power of giving. He also advanced within the group rehabilitation framework.” She added that the Prison Service is working to expand dog adoption initiatives while providing inmates with genuine rehabilitative opportunities.
Today, Xena is a city dog who also enjoys walks in nature. “She’s amazing,” said the couple. “Because of an injured front leg, she sometimes hops on three legs to keep pace. She has a strong character — resilient, powerful, a true fighter. As a therapist, I feel her presence itself offers so much. The essence of animal-assisted therapy lies in the presence of the animal — and it’s important that the animal is not perfect, not a blank slate. A creature with scars often brings the most depth to therapy,” Aderet explained.
She has a strong character — resilient, powerful, a true fighter. As a therapist, I feel her presence itself offers so much.
The couple continues to update the inmate about Xena’s adjustment to urban life. “We’ve shared everything we’ve learned about her — the confidence she’s gained, how she now plays with other dogs, and how much she enjoys her walks in nature.”