Diamond really is a girl’s best friend.
Lilach was a mover and shaker in the robotics community in Israel, establishing Israel’s 1st robotics program for children. She also led teams of students in international competitions, teaching them to love technology and focus on changing the world.
Suddenly two years ago, Lilach could only see about 3 feet in front of her. Her most frightening moment was when she struggled to recognize her children. The doctor diagnosed her with a growth on her retinal nerve. Being forced to retire, Lilach knew her life would never be the same. She said, “Robotics is a challenging field, even with two good eyes.”
When she accepted her new situation, her friends told her that she needed a guide dog. But Lilach had a huge fear of dogs, and so she worked with a therapist. Not only did she overcome her fears, but she bonded with Diamond almost immediately. Diamond helped her regain her mobility and independence, and soon she hopes to resume travelling—albeit this time with a new best friend.
Diamond is a female yellow Labrador Retriever. She and her partner Lilach were matched and trained at a campus course in 2023.
Matching a client and a dog is an art—we should call our staff “matchmakers”. They learn about each client, and each dog in order to make the best match in terms of size, temperament, activity level, and much more. Our method has taken years to perfect, which is why 95% of our partnerships succeed.
“I have travelled all over the world, but the Israel Guide Dog Center is the best place on earth. It’s a place of heart and love.”