The Unexpected Pit Bull

Piece by: Hanna Fushihara Aron
Animal Farm Foundation has established an Assistance Dog Training program where “pit bull” dogs in animal shelters and rescues can be considered for the same work traditionally reserved for pure bred, purpose bred dogs.

Animal Farm Foundation has been a pioneer in changing the hearts and minds of people when it comes to pit bulls. Located in New York state, Animal Farm Foundation is dedicated to securing equal treatment and opportunity for "pit bull" dogs.

Even before the Michael Vick case, Animal Farm Foundation saw dogs from dog fighting operations not as accomplices in violence but as victims of human cruelty and evaluated each dog as individuals instead of making blanket statements about them. Many forward thinking communities now share that same view.

With that seed planted, they have embarked on a new project with the help of Assistance Dogs International certified trainer Apryl Lea. Animal Farm Foundation’s new assistance dog program finds homeless pit bull type dogs who may be suited for assistance dog work, evaluates them, then trains them to later be matched with a client with disabilities. Dogs who start training but along the way are found to be better suited as non-working family pets are transferred to their adoptions program. The guidelines are strict and only dogs that will thrive in such a partnership finish their training and are paired with a client. When people think of assistance dogs, most envision a Labrador Retriever. By getting this new program started, Animal Farm Foundation aims to show that homeless pit bull type dogs can perform the same things that dogs bred in specialized programs can perform. Recently, two dogs in their program along with their handlers who were en route to a conference were barred from boarding a plane due to breed discrimination. Obviously, Animal Farm Foundation has chosen an issue that is current and that still needs to be addressed and have minds changed.

When asked if it has been different working with these pit bull type dogs coming from shelters, Apryl noted that she really hasn’t found any. She says that just as when she worked with other pure bred, purpose bred dogs, each individual dog presents their own strengths and challenges that differ from each other dog. For example, the strength of a dog currently in the assistance dog program, Captain America, is that he enjoys working with his handler and is eager to work. One of his challenges is that he can get distracted by his surroundings, including people walking by commenting on how wonderful he is and wanting to say hello. Already a myth buster, Captain is a pit bull whose “problem” is being too friendly with strangers! Training can take up to a year to complete so the first graduates of the program won’t be ready for placement till next year. The Unexpected Pit Bull hopes to post regular updates on the dogs in this program. Today we introduce you to current trainees Captain America and Hippo. Here Captain America works in crowded Grand Central Station in New York City on attention amidst distraction, heel position, and retrieving.

In this video Apryl is desensitizing Hippo to the vacuum cleaner while also working with him on heel.

For more information about Animal Farm Foundation visit http://animalfarmfoundation.org