On 29 April, the Israel Guide Dog Centre proudly opened its new, state of the art Veterinary Clinic. The entrance hall was dedicated in memory of the late UK Executive Director, Martin Segal z”l. As a guide dog charity, the welfare of the dogs throughout their lives is central to the Centre’s mission. Over the decades, the Centre has overseen the health and wellbeing of more than 2,000 puppies and dogs.
With ever increasing demand leading to an increase in the number of puppies born at the Centre in recent years, alongside the ongoing care of hundreds of guide and service dogs under its responsibility at any given time, the Veterinary Clinic required expansion, renovation, and modernisation. These improvements have made the clinic more efficient and better equipped to meet both current and future demand.
Orna Braun, Co-Founder of the Israel Guide Dog Centre and Head of Breeding, explained that the new clinic had long been a dream. It now includes a laboratory for fertilisation and transcervical insemination, an operating theatre, examination room, breeding area, and five recovery kennels. The expanded facility enables the Centre to carry out vaccinations, spay/neuter procedures, minor surgeries, ultrasounds (to monitor in-utero puppies or assess a dog’s heart and organs), endoscopy, digital X-rays, electrocardiograms, dental work, extractions, and physical rehabilitation following injuries.
These services are vital to the Centre’s mission. The health of every dog is monitored from birth through its entire working life, supporting the success of every dog-client partnership.
The opening ceremony welcomed a group of UK supporters who came together to honour Martin Segal and to view the new facility. Martin’s widow, Rebecca Segal, spoke movingly at the dedication:
“Today is a beautiful reminder of the wonderful work Martin did and how much respect you all had for him. Thank you so much for dedicating the entrance hall to him. This place has grown and changed so much from when I first came here in 2011, and it will always have a special place in my heart.”
The new Veterinary Clinic was made possible, in part, by the generosity of UK supporters, who are passionate about the life-changing partnerships created at the Israel Guide Dog Centre—whether it be guide dogs for those who are blind or visually impaired, or service and emotional support dogs for people living with PTSD and other challenges.
For more information about the Israel Guide Dog Centre’s work, please contact info@israelguidedog.org.uk
Images: Rebecca Segal speaking at the opening and pictured by the dedication for Martin Segal, Ora Braun (co-Founder of the Israel Guide Dog Centre) showing guests round the new clinic.
Photos © Itai Belson