A sad-eyed puppy with extra-long arms is giving young patients at Rambam Health Care Campus) a comforting hug—and their voices back—as the hospital becomes the world’s first to weave the evidence-backed Hibuki (“Snuggle”) Therapy in every day pediatric care.
It is often hard for traumatized children to put their emotions into words, but a new evidence-based intervention called Hibuki (“Snuggle") Therapy is changing that. For the first time, a pilot of the protocol is being woven into everyday care in the Ruth Rappaport Children’s Hospital of Rambam Health Care Campus (Rambam).
The research-backed program revolves around a sad-eyed stuffed puppy with extra-long hugging arms. As they play with the toy, children are encouraged to express their sadness, thoughts, and fears. The method was developed during the Second Lebanon War by Dr. Shay Chen Gal, Chief Psychologist at the Amal U'Meever Association, along with Professor Avi Sadeh and Dr. Flora Mor of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Psychology.
Since the October 7, 2023 attacks, almost 2,850 children from the Gaza-envelope and Ashkelon have received a Hibuki puppy as part of the program delivered at evacuation centers. Worldwide, more than 150,000 disaster-affected children have benefited from the therapy.
The program’s success inspired Amal U'Meever to launch a hospital-based pilot at Rambam. Just weeks before Operation ‘Am KeLavi’ (“Rising Lion”), the Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Surgery (acute care) and Pediatric Gastroenterology (outpatient care) departments were chosen. Psychologists, teachers, and nurses deliver the program in both Hebrew and Arabic.
By turning treatment into play, Hibuki Therapy restores children’s sense of control and confidence—aligning with the hospital’s holistic approach to recovery and resilience.
When Operation Rising Lion broke out, over 500 children displaced from their homes were taken to safe evacuation centers, and through their trauma, the "Hibuki Patrol Team" was at their side.
When Rambam's Fortified Underground Emergency Hospital was activated and the region's hospitalized pediatric patients were relocated, the patrol team was at their bedside even during missile alerts.
On Wednesday, July 9, Rambam hosted an appreciation ceremony where Director General Professor Michael Halberthal thanked partners from Amal U'Meever and Haifa Municipality. Also, in attendance was Professor Daniella Magen, director of the Pediatric Division at the Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital, Dr. Esty Golan, director of International Relations, Nobel Laureate Professor Dan Shechtman, Chairman of the Friends of Hibuki, Haifa's Deputy Mayor Israel Savion, Lilach Asher Topilsky, Chairperson of the Board of Amal U'Meever, Dalia Korkin, CEO of Amal U'Meever, Liora Kalish, CEO of Hibuki, Dr. Chen Gal, and other distinguished guests. A video greeting from President Isaac Herzog was screened, praising the project’s impact on children in distress.
Rambam leadership, representatives from Haifa Municipality, Bank Hapoalim, the Hibuki Project, and “Amal U'Meever”. Photography: Rambam HCC
“The Hibuki project played a major role in Yuval’s emotional recovery—during the war and later during a medical event,” wrote Adi, the mother of a recent patient in the Children’s Hospital, “It isn’t just therapeutic—it’s a heartfelt mission that reaches children exactly when they need it most.”
“It’s a great honor for me to help these children who need support so deeply,” says Dr. Chen Gal. “We promise to keep reaching out to every child who needs Hibuki. No child will be left alone.”
