Chana Horowitz, Veteran Dog Trainer and Holocaust Survivor, Dies at 92
At 92, Holocaust survivor and legendary dog trainer Chana Horowitz passed away. Until her final days, she trained rescue dogs, leaving a lasting legacy.
Even at 92, Chana Horowitz never gave up on the passion that accompanied her for decades and became an inseparable part of her life: dogs. On the last Saturday of her life, she still managed to train Dana, a Malinois dog that came to her from the elite Oketz unit. Yesterday, Horowitz passed away, leaving behind a rich legacy in the world of dog training and a grieving community of cynologists.
A Journey from Warsaw to Israel
Horowitz's story began far away. She grew up in Warsaw, Poland, and lost her parents at the age of eight. As a child Holocaust survivor, she endured harrowing years before immigrating to Israel in 1947 to rebuild her life. Back in Poland, she fell in love with German Shepherds, a devotion that stayed with her throughout her life. Over the years, she raised and trained numerous dogs, becoming a prominent and influential figure in the Israeli dog-training community.
An Unbreakable Bond with Dana
After her last German Shepherd passed away, Chana struggled to imagine life without a dog by her side. That is when Dana, a Belgian Malinois from the Oketz unit, was introduced to her. Though it was not the German Shepherd she was accustomed to, Chana decided to give her a chance. The connection was instantaneous and deep. Chana shared that Dana instinctively knew when she felt unwell and would stay faithfully by her side.
Chana was always a role model. One of the foundational pillars of the Protection and Rescue Dog Club, said Sharon Ronen, summarizing her remarkable spirit: A small woman, but very great.
This profound bond lasted until her final days. Last Saturday, just days before her passing, Chana was still training Dana, proving that age and time meant nothing when it came to the greatest love of her life.
