Pups For Peace: Current News
The response from Israeli leaders and security officials to the Pups for Peace initiative is overwhelmingly positive. Here's a sampling of some letters we've received.
Pups For Peace: Testimonials

"I am writing this letter to express my gratitude to the Pups for Peace organization for the work it is doing to assist in assuring public security in Israel. Over the past few months I have come to appreciate the importance of using dogs in bomb detecting situations. I have also come to appreciate the valuable work of Pups for Peace as an organization. The need for terror prevention measures of all kinds is ongoing and will continue to be with us in the foreseeable future. Your success is our success as we work together to combat terrorism for the security of the people of Israel."

Meir Sheetrit, Minister of Transport, State of Israel
03.15.2005
Pups For Peace: Testimonials

"I wanted to thank you for your help to the Unit and to the citizens of the State of Israel. The dogs contributed by Pups for Peace to the Unit along with the dogs trained in Los Angeles, aid each day to the security of Israel, inhibit terrorist attacks, and have been involved in the discovery of many explosive cargos headed for terrorist targets. Moreover, I have no doubt whatsoever that your dogs that are working in defense of public transportation serve each and every day as a very important tool in saving human life and preventing terrorist attacks."

Lt. Col Arik Elazar, Commander of the Oketz (K-9) Unit of the Israel Defense Forces
03.16.2005
Pups For Peace: Testimonials

"The professional assessment team of the Israel Police came to the conclusion on the basis of experience and tests that certain operational limitations could be overcome and helped by finding and preparing dogs deployed along with other means to indicate explosive materials. The combination of these means to indicate explosive materials as part of our general deployment will prevent terrorist attacks and save lives."

Deputy Commander Ze'ev Vladinger, Chief of Security Operations, Israel Police, National Headquarters, Jerusalem
04.20.2004
Pups For Peace: Testimonials

"The prime minister's command office on Counter Terrorism endorses with blessing this initiative of Pups for Peace. In light of the difficult security situation and worsening threats, there is a need to accelerate integration of detection dogs into our security framework. Specifically, in the first stage we need to focus upon their integration into the security system for public transportation. We believe the integration of dogs into the security system for public transportation will add to the sense of security of the Israeli public."

The Office of the Prime Minister, Lt. Col. Hassan Hassan, Command office on Counter - Terrorism
07.07.2003
Pups For Peace: Testimonials

"In recognition and appreciation of Outstanding Service For the last few years the State of Israel has been under a continuing threat of suicidal terror attacks that have caused many causalities, including large number of innocent civilians, the elderly, youth and babies. Pups for Peace as a non-profit organization, has dedicated itself to the purpose of assisting the State of Israel in the war against terror and in particular against suicide terrorist attacks, by training dogs to detect explosives, and presenting these dogs as a contribution to the State of Israel. There is no doubt that the activities of Pups for Peace provide additional security to the people of Israel, raise the general level of security everywhere that PFP is active, and instill confidence among the people in those areas. I would like to express thanks and appreciation to all who have taken part in this outstanding and important endeavor, and to those who continue to serve and contribute today."

Major General Yair Naveh, GCO Home Front Command, IDF and Brig. Gen. Dani Ardity, Director of the Counter Terrorism Bureau
07.07.2003
Pups For Peace: Testimonials

"I applaud the initiative Pups for Peace...in (the) efforts to bring man's best friend to help in keeping Israeli citizens safe. ...Pups for Peace is a unique and innovative response to answering our growing need to protect the Israeli public. With existing security forces already stretched to the limit, the use of trained dogs, capable of detecting explosives and providing early warning of attacks is desperately needed and welcomed. Our goal in all of our security efforts is to enhance public safety wherever possible and provide peace of mind to Israelis be it at the supermarket, a disco, a cafe or on public transportation. Support of Pups for Peace is an important contribution to the safety and security of Israelis, and a wonderful opportunity to make a difference during the current crisis. With blessings from Jerusalem, and wishing you much success in your endeavor."

Former Mayor of Jerusalem Ehud Olmert
06.02.2002
Pups For Peace: Testimonials

"After having carefully reviewed the Pups for Peace initiative, I decided to seek expert opinion of numerous Israeli security professionals with respect to the viability of the program. I am happy to report that the officials with whom I consulted were of the unanimous opinion that Pups for Peace holds immense potential both as a public safety measure and as a deterrent of terror. Following these consultations, I am convinced that the initiative should be embraced with the utmost seriousness and speed. It is clear to me that the successful implementation of Pups for Peace could effectively protect numerous Israeli public places with the most cutting-edge dog/handler teams not available. In addition, your initiative would also significantly reduce the strain upon the Working Dogs Unit of the IDF."

Consul General of Israel Yuval Rotem
04.18.2002
Pups For Peace: Testimonials

"...we are solidly behind Pups for Peace...Among its many advantages are its state of the art methods and its ability to provide a broad base of consistently trained dog/handler teams that could be deployed through Israel. I am sure this program can help the State of Israel to better cope with terrorist attacks and save lives."

Former Minister of Public Security, Dr. Uzi Landau
04.23.2002
Pups For Peace: Testimonials

"...I feel that this program will help us provide more security to the people of Israel. We are standing behind this program and its objectives. The potential of preventing further tragedies among Israel's citizenry and re-establishing a sense of security and peace of mind throughout the population is great."

Deputy Minister of Internal Security, Gideon Ezra
05.01.2002
Pups For Peace: Testimonials

"I have no doubt that the work of explosive sniffing dogs in the community can significantly reduce the dangers from terrorist attacks of this nature."

Maj. Gen. David Tsur, Head , Public Security, Operational Staff Unit
04.20.2002
Pups For Peace: Testimonials

"We are very interested in pursuing the ideas set out in your Pups for Peace proposal. . . . . recent losses with the Working Dogs Unit and the unlimited areas in which their training is needed make your plan a highly desirable one to us. We foresee substantially extending this program in Israel once the pilot program is complete. We are most enthusiastic about the potential for expanding our Working Dogs Unit with your help. This unit is an integral part of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and its mission. We greatly appreciate your efforts to help the IDF in this way."

Col. Arik Elazar, Commander, Working Dogs Unit, Israel Defense Forces
Dr. Ilan Frank, D. V. M, Captain, Unit's Chief Veterinarian
04.21.2002
Pups For Peace: Testimonials

"I believe the Israel Police-Animal Section would be very much interested in getting 20-30 dogs, suitable for explosives detection, including a 60-90 cays course for 10 police officers, as assistance for our fight against terror."

Chief Superintendent Dr. Yair Stein, Head, Animal Section, Israel Police, 04.12.2002
Pups For Peace: Testimonials

"I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to the PFP organization and its activities. During the past months, I became better acquainted with the organization and its actions, and they are definitely magnificent. The war against terror is set on the global agenda. It is a world-wide crisis, but sadly, here in Israel, we have faced it for a long time, on a daily basis. Your organization's activities in the field of canine will assist the struggle against terror immensely, and is of great importance. Beyond the strategic contribution in the field of counter terrorism, the professionalism in which manners were dealt with, and the dedicated care for the IDF soldiers should also be pointed out and admired. I think highly of your work and hope it will continue and broaden, surely to the delight of all in the IDF and Israel."

MG Yiftach Ron Tal, Chief of Ground Forces, Israel Defense Forces
11.11.2002
Pups For Peace: Testimonials

"I would like to express my appreciation with regard to the Pups for Peace project you are prompting.The current situation in Israel requires us all to do our best to explore new and fruitful initiatives which would provide better security to the Israelis. Hopefully, blessed efforts such as yours, may help us to obtain such desired objective.I support your endeavor and pray that it would restore security and reduce the number of terror victims in our streets.I wish you success and I look forward to witness the project's implementation."

Ehud Barak
07.07.2002