Animal Therapy Support for Traumatized Israeli Children
By: Nativia Buehler, AID Administrator
At Kibbutz Urim, only a few miles from Gaza, a horse therapy ranch and animal corner had been serving children and adults from throughout the region to deal with the trauma of years of incessant rocket barrages. But the October 7 terror invasion forced the community to evacuate and the ranch to close, even at a time when the number of Israeli children and adults needing trauma care rose exponentially.
But now, the horse ranch is back up and running, with the addition of three new therapy horses so far sponsored by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. And right next door, a long-awaited vision is starting to come to life.
In October, Kibbutz Urim unveiled the first phase of its refurbished “animal corner,” a safe and welcoming space where children can interact with gentle animals to overcome trauma. The rest of the permanent ICEJ-sponsored Animal Therapy Corner currently remains in the planning stages, but this pilot project offers an initial glimpse of how the structured animal-assisted therapy center will support traumatized children.
Though small in scale, the pilot site already includes the essential elements: two therapists on staff, two therapy rooms, animal enclosures, and a wide, fenced green lawn. Inside the enclosures are rabbits, hamsters, and parrots, with plans to welcome chickens and eventually dogs. The site is intentionally designed to be secure, so that children engaging with the animals can feel calm and protected.
This opening stage is temporary but vital, as it allows the team to experiment with therapeutic approaches, test practicalities, and refine the overall vision before full-scale construction begins. “This allows the therapists and organizers to observe how children respond and identify the resources they will need long-term to remain sustainable and effective,” explained Nicole Yoder, ICEJ Vice President of AID and Aliyah.
The need for such spaces is pressing. According to a recent report by the National Insurance Institute, since the beginning of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza two years ago, 56 children and teens have been murdered, 389 have lost at least one parent, 38,628 were evacuated from homes near the northern and southern borders, and at least 23,212 have been recognized as physically or mentally damaged. Of these, 2,952 children were found to be suffering from significant trauma. There were 30 suicide attempts among children aged nine and under, a 25% increase from 2023. Seven months ago, 37 children still had parents in Hamas captivity.
The scale of these numbers underscores the urgent need for safe, nurturing spaces where children can begin to process their experiences and rebuild a sense of security. Kibbutz Urim’s envisioned Animal Corner is taking on this responsibility, offering dozens of children the chance to take steps toward emotional recovery.
Give toward this unique project and help traumatized Israeli children today.
Related Article
ICEJ Brings Dignity to Israel’s Small Domari Community
ICEJ Protects Israeli Children Shaken by Iranian Missile Hit