A group of 16 young people from Afula participates in a dog-training workshop at a kennel on a nearby kibbutz. On the first day of the workshop the head trainer brought along a Labrador, a species well known as particularly sociable dogs. The dog, which had been abandoned by its previous owners, was now undergoing training by the head trainer. Through the tale of the dog's life that included the need to place physical and behavioral boundaries and limitations on his daily food rations, the trainer brought out the primary message of the course. This became an "eye opener" for the young people as it spoke of our need as human beings to show greater compassion towards the animals around us who are inferior to us in their capabilities, metaphorically showing the need for similar compassion towards friends who suffer from various difficulties. The trainer spoke of the various training methods and demonstrated a number of tools used in the art of dog training that are often accompanied by negative reinforcement. The young people were exposed to the viciousness in the use of these tools and convinced that training using positive reinforcement was in fact much more effective. This led them to a similar conclusion concerning human beings.

They went on to see a further comparison when the trainer compared a dog that is in a threatening situation with how the teens react when they suddenly find themselves in front of a young person with a knife in his hand. While the situation may have brought a smile to the young people's face, it was only because of its authenticity. The trainer selected this comparison in order to describe the range of behavioral patterns characteristic to humans and animals faced with a crisis in which their choices come down to "fight, flight or freeze". Raising this issue allowed the trainer to present an important message to the young people without making them feel guilty or being critical. It was a message presented on their level and it captured their hearts.

What was also so special about this meeting was the way in which the trainer commanded the young people's attention for a solid 90 minutes, and this is in light of the fact that their teachers at school rarely manage for any more than a few minutes. Already at the second meeting, the young people were given their first taste of the being "in charge" and being able to manage the dog for whom they where now responsible. To do so they now needed to use their planning skills, focus on the objective and show patience. It was something that most of them found difficult and they can expect a unique and eye-opening learning experience.