Princess, a playful border collie dog who is deaf from birth, and Rafi, a rail-thin eighth grader who has seen his share of sorrow, are learning the language of love. Each week, Rafi and Princess meet at the sports field for an extracurricular dog-training course offered by Boys Town Jerusalem. At the end of the day, both boys and dogs are learning lessons for life about communication, cooperation and trust.

“Dogs with problems are easier for kids with problems to relate to,” explains instructor Shaked Yisrael. “These dogs are no threat to children who are frightened or traumatized, and they can open the way for healing. Princess is a wonderful, intelligent dog who cannot hear a command, but she can understand hand motions and other means of communication. We’re teaching the boys the specifics of working with Princess, but as with every dog, they will need sensitivity, patience, creativity and the will to succeed.”

The sessions include ample time for the boys and dogs to interact, as the future dog tamers practice their techniques on the frisky canines of all sizes and breeds. Watching Rafi stride by with Princess on a leash, BTJ principal Rabbi Yehudah Rosencrantz noted, “Traumas at home had made Rafi so frightened that he couldn’t even touch a dog at the start. But gradually he’s learned the ‘language’ to relate to Princess, whom he adores. When you give a dog love, he will give it back to you with all his heart.

“Overall, we view the dog-training course as a fun, informative activity to help Boys Town Jerusalem students gain skills and sensitivity. But for a number of boys at risk, this course has proved to be an invaluable key towards healing and growth.”

Boys Town Jerusalem is one of Israel’s premier institutions for educating the country’s next generation of leaders in the fields of technology, commerce, education, the military and public service. Since its founding in 1948, BTJ has pursued its mission of turning young boys from limited backgrounds into young men with limitless futures. From junior high through the college level, the three-part curriculum at Boys Town—academic, technological and Torah—is designed to turn otherwise disadvantaged Israeli youth into productive citizens of tomorrow. Boys Town’s 18-acre campus is a home away from home for its more than 900 students. More than 7,000 graduates hold key positions throughout Israeli society.

For more information, Visit us at www.boystownjerusalem.org.