Education Cures All

Source: http://www.humanesociety.org/news/news/2010/01/pit_bull_graduation_012510.html

The video and article I found discussed the story of a young boy named Terrence with his pit bull Elmo.  I thought it was necessary for all of you to see this because people need to see stories about pit bulls other than ones involved in building up the bad reputation for pit bulls.  I also believe this shows people that how an owner train their pit bull has a huge affect on how the dog will behave.  If Terrence had gone down the path of dog fighting, Elmo could have easily become an aggressive and violent dog, but not by choice.  The effectiveness of education on how owners can properly train their pit bulls is shown.  Before joining the Pit Bull Training Team, Terrence was about to begin dog fighting; now he and Elmo have earned a Canine Good Citizenship Certificate.  I think that more programs need to be created such as the Pit Bull Training Team because in doing so the number of people becoming involved in dog fighting can be greatly reduced.  Furthermore, when people start to properly train their pit bulls, the unearned negative stigma brought upon the pit bulls should slowly fade away.

 

Jackie

Success as Therapy Dogs

                            

  Source: "Former Michael Vick Pit Pull Enjoying New Life as Therapy Dog"

When I read the article “Former Michael Vick Pit Bull Enjoying New Life as Therapy Dog,” I saw significant proof that pit bulls can be other things besides vicious killing machines.  The most prominent piece of the article is the huge picture at the beginning, which is the pit bull Leo surrounded by a group of children, all with their hands stretched out wanting a chance to pet the dog.  I don’t feel as if this dog is about to go and chump down on any of the small kids.  In case any readers are not aware, Leo’s former owner Michael Vick was charged with being involved in the dog-fighting ring and there is further information in the article.  It is my hope that with the clear success of Leo, people will begin to see the positive impacts pit bulls can have on society and that there is no need to ban the breed.  Pit bulls, such as Leo, can also be used to help educate the younger generations and avoid them from believing that all pit bulls are bad, especially ones who have been forced to have an unfortunate background.  To end, I would like to ask the question” How would you feel knowing that all of the great effects Leo has had on people would have never happened just because he had been forced to participate in dog-fighting?

Jackie