Na’aleh Therapy Farm, located near Jerusalem, offers therapeutic healing by rescuing abused animals and inviting Israelis struggling with trauma, including soldiers and veterans affected by recent conflicts, to care for them. The farm provides a unique form of therapy where individuals tend to animals—such as horses, dogs, sheep, and tortoises—helping both the animals and themselves heal. Director Ben Goldstein highlights the farm’s role in addressing Israel’s mental health crisis, especially for those unable or unwilling to seek traditional therapy, by fostering connection, peace, and purpose through hands-on care and interaction with the land.

Animal-assisted therapy is widely recognized in Israel for its effectiveness in reducing anxiety and stress, with therapy animals used in various medical settings to improve emotional well-being. Experts emphasize that animals can achieve therapeutic outcomes beyond human capabilities by promoting calming hormones and reducing symptoms in trauma patients. The farm also engages Israeli teens as volunteers, providing them with meaningful activities that contribute to national healing. Overall, Na’aleh Therapy Farm serves as a sanctuary where both people and animals recover together, creating a supportive community dedicated to resilience and restoration.