10/16/2026
THE WOUNDS WE CANNOT SEE
You might ask, why do we need a trauma service dog?
To understand Tali's future work, we first need to understand what trauma actually is.
Trauma can happen when someone experiences or witnesses something frightening, dangerous or overwhelming โ an event that makes them feel that their life or safety, or the safety of someone they love, is under threat.
Afterwards, the mind and body may continue responding as though the danger is still present.
Someone might struggle to sleep. They may become easily startled by a loud noise. They may avoid places or situations that remind them of what happened. They may feel constantly on edge, anxious, angry or disconnected from the people around them.
These reactions can be a natural response to something overwhelming, and experiencing them does not automatically mean someone has PTSD. Most people gradually recover after a traumatic experience. For some, however, these symptoms continue and begin to interfere with everyday life. That is when PTSD may develop.
And in Israel, the scale of trauma is significant.
In one nationwide study of Israeli adults, the proportion experiencing probable PTSD almost doubled following October 7 โ from 16.2% to 29.8%.
Behind those percentages are real people โ parents, children, soldiers, first responders, survivors and families โ carrying experiences that may continue long after the immediate danger has passed.
Some wounds can be seen. Others cannot. And that's why Tali's work matters.
Over the coming weeks, we'll take a closer look at PTSD, its effects and why a specially trained dog may become an important source of support for people living with trauma.
Next week, story time: When a dog becomes more than a dog
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