Every puppy born at the Israel Guide Dog Center carries the potential to transform a life. From the moment they take their first wobbly steps, these little bundles of fur are destined for something extraordinary—to bring independence, healing, and hope to Israelis living with blindness, PTSD, or other challenges.

But before that journey begins, each puppy needs something deeply important—a name.
And that name could come from you.

Naming a puppy at the Israel Guide Dog Center is a joyful act of generosity and love. It’s a way to make a personal connection to our mission and leave a lasting mark on a life-changing story that’s just beginning.

Why Someone Would Want to Name a Puppy

There’s something deeply meaningful about naming a puppy who will grow up to change someone’s life. It’s not just a donation—it’s an emotional bond. It’s watching your puppy go from a curious little explorer to a trained dog who brings safety, confidence, and companionship to an Israeli in need.

People choose to name puppies for all sorts of reasons. Some honor a loved one, a beloved pet, or a cherished memory. Others mark a milestone—a birthday, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, wedding, or anniversary. Many name a puppy in memory of someone special, knowing that their spirit will live on through a dog who brings light into the life of another.

Naming a puppy also provides a tangible connection to the Center’s mission. It’s one thing to donate to a cause you care about—it’s another to watch “your” puppy grow, train, and eventually be matched with someone whose life will be forever changed.

The Restrictions for Naming a Puppy

Because our puppies grow up to become life-changing dogs—as Guide Dogs, Service Dogs, or Emotional Support Dogs, we follow certain guidelines to make sure every name fits their training and future roles.

The Gift Amount

Naming a puppy is one of the most impactful and personally meaningful giving opportunities available through the Israel Guide Dog Center.

This opportunity begins with a donation of $5,000 USD—a gift that helps cover the extensive costs of breeding, raising, and early training for your puppy. That includes veterinary care, food, vaccinations, and guidance for the volunteer family who will nurture your puppy during its first year of life.

Your donation ensures your puppy gets the best possible start—healthy, confident, and ready to become someone’s lifeline.

Naming Parameters

Choosing the perfect name is part art, part heart. Our puppy department follows a few simple guidelines:

  • Language: All puppies at the Israel Guide Dog Center are given English names. In Israel, where Hebrew is the primary language, we don’t want our dogs to get distracted while working if they hear their name.
  • Easy to say: The puppy’s name may be spoken often by its partner so we name dogs that would be easy and comfortable for the partner to say.
  • Duplication: We have more than 100 puppies born at the Center each year. We cannot have 2 puppies with the same name as it can cause confusion for our staff.
  • Keep it kind: Names should be respectful, positive, and appropriate for all public settings.

Our team reviews every name and approves them individually. We are happy to help you choose a name that fits both your vision and our training needs. Together, we’ll make sure your puppy’s name is as special as their purpose.

What You Get When You Name a Puppy
When you name a puppy, you become part of its story—every step of the way.

A Digital Birth Certificate and Puppy Photo
You’ll receive an electronic birth certificate with your puppy’s name and first photo. Many of our donors frame it as a keepsake or gift—it’s a tangible reminder of the hope you’ve set in motion.

Updates on Your Puppy’s Progress
You’ll receive periodic pupdates with photos and information about what the puppy is learning and where the puppy is in developmental progress. You’ll watch your puppy grow, learn basic obedience, explore new environments, and develop the confidence that will prepare them for formal training back at the Center.

Many people who name a puppy tell us these updates are the highlight of their inbox—something to smile about, celebrate, and share with friends and family.

Follow Their Journey
When your puppy returns to the Center for assessment, you’ll receive an update about which career path they’ve been chosen for. Knowing that your puppy is starting training is very heartwarming as they are one chapter closer to changing someone’s life.

How Naming a Puppy Impacts the Work of the Center

It’s amazing how much power can be packed into something as simple as a name. Your naming gift directly supports every stage of our work—helping us breed, raise, and train exceptional dogs who empower Israelis with independence and confidence.

A Name That Makes a Difference

When you name a puppy at the Israel Guide Dog Center, you’re doing more than giving a name—you’re giving hope, independence, and healing. You’re creating a bridge of compassion between you and someone whose life will never be the same.

Your puppy’s name will be spoken with love every single day by trainers, volunteers, and eventually, by the person whose world your puppy will help expand. It’s a gift that lives on in wagging tails, steady paws, and grateful hearts.

So—what’s in a name?
Everything.

Ready to Name a Puppy?

If you’d like to learn more about naming a puppy, please contact our U.S. office at info@israelguidedog.org or visit www.israelguidedog.org.

You’ll not only give a puppy a name—you’ll give someone in Israel the gift of freedom, healing, independence, and unconditional love.

Because when you name a puppy, you’re helping transform lives—four paws at a time.