Canadian Friends of the Israel Guide Dog Center will soon be visiting Vancouver, Whistler, and Vancouver Island with Achiya Klein and his remarkable guide dog, Joy. This visit offers an opportunity to witness firsthand the profound impact that support has had on Achiya’s life and the lives of countless others.
The Israel Guide Dog Center breeds and trains guide and service dogs for disabled and wounded Israelis, providing confidence, independence and companionship to those who need it most– especially during this time.
All are invited to be part of this meaningful experience. Details of the BC visit are included below, and the team looks forward to seeing everyone there!
Events in BC:
- February 20: Nanoose Bay, Vancouver Island. Details and RSVP HERE.
- February 21-22: Schara Tzedeck Shabbaton. Details and RSVP HERE.
- February 23: Ski Day with Schara Tzedeck. Details and RSVP HERE.
About Us
The Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind is dedicated to improving the quality of life of visually impaired Israelis. We provide them with mobility, independence, self-confidence and companionship through the faithful assistance of guide dogs specially trained in Hebrew to meet Israel’s rigorous and challenging environment. Founded in 1991, the Israel Guide Dog Center serves Israel’s 24,000 blind and visually impaired citizens and is the only internationally accredited guide dog program in the country.
Achiya Klein is an Israeli veteran who joined the IDF combat engineering corps elite ‘Yahalom’ unit, where he served as a sergeant and later as an officer.
In 2013, while on a sensitive mission to disable a tunnel in Gaza, an improvised explosive device was detonated, severely injuring Achiya and robbing him of his vision.
He has been a guide dog client since 2015.
Achiya has taken his fitness enthusiasm to the competitive level, competing for the Israeli national team at the Paralympic rowing championship, competing in the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. He received his Masters degree in the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy in Counter Terrorism and Homeland Security, at IDC Herzliya.
Achiya is married to Shirlee and a father to two boys and Joy, his guide dog. He lives in Toronto.
