Bideawee Tails from a Volunteer
The Content of Her Character by Florence Scarinci
Pit bull. Say the name and two images immediately come to mind.
The first is that of a powerful dog, snarling, growling, and drooling, pulling on his chain lead, every fiber of his muscular body aching to tear apart anything that crosses his path. He is the epitome of an aggressive, cruel, determined fighting machine.
The second is that of an underfed dog, his body covered with bruises, open, festering wounds, and scars. His almost nonexistent ears with ragged edges indicate a crude cropping job performed in a backyard garage with dull scissors. This dog is tethered by a short chain to a tree, with a water bowl in sight but unreachable. This dog is the poster pup for animal cruelty.
Neither image would fit that of a docile, affectionate therapy dog. So it might surprise you to meet Django sporting her therapy dog vest, her owner, Raymond Greenwell wearing the Delta Pet Partner ID card and visiting the residents of Rockville Skilled Nursing Facility and Fulton Commons.
Pit bulls are technically not a breed. They are more of a "type". The name is applied to any one of a number of "bully" breeds believed to have resulted from crossbreeding bulldogs with terriers: American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, and the English Bull Terrier, to name just a few. These dogs can trace their history to ancient times. The Greeks and Romans used these fiercely loyal, protective, intelligent canines in warfare and in the "sport" of dog fighting. So highly valuable were they that the Phoenicians would use them as currency in bartering. In England during the Middle Ages, butchers used them as herding dogs to keep cattle together as they were marched to market. English settlers brought these dogs to America. They were prized on the frontier as a sturdy, all-purpose dog that could herd cattle, protect the flock from predators and rustlers, and the guard the family. In America, pit bulls also enjoyed success and recognition both in Hollywood and in the military. Anyone of a certain age will recall Petey, one of the stars of early television's Little Rascals program. The only dog ever to be awarded a military rank was a pit bull. Stubby, the World War I mascot of the 102nd Infantry Division, retired from military service with the rank of Sergeant, and became the mascot for Georgetown University. His image is the logo for the Hoyas to this day.
Throughout the centuries humans have capitalized on the pit bull's strength and desire to please, whether as a working farm dog or a family pet. Indeed, so intense is their need to win their owner's affection that they will endure pain and injuries if their owner requires them to fight.
It is this very willingness to please, this selfless loyalty to human beings that makes Django such an affectionate and effective therapy dog. Django, began life eight years ago in a pitbull rescue group, Companions for Life, in Connecticut. Django's pregnant mother was surrendered to the group when her former owners were arrested. Ray was able to adopt her when she was eight weeks old. The chocolate and white puppy appealed to him. Obviously affectionate and smart, she reminded Ray of Musk, his gentle, aged, purebred American Staffordshire Terrier who had been a therapy dog since 1993. Musk was a therapy dog par excellence for nine years. She would entertain the nursing home residents with tricks. But her most sterling quality was her "soft mouth". She was ever so gentle when a resident would offer her treats. And she loved to bestow "kisses." Ray took Django to obedience classes and taught her some tricks but it is her singing ability that has the residents of Fulton Commons and Rockville Skilled Nursing facility laughing and clapping and anticipating her visit. When Ray takes out his harmonica and plays "Red River Valley", Django doesn't miss a beat.
Knowing that pit bulls have such an undeserved reputation, Ray does not mention her "breed" until people have interacted with her and experience her sweet nature. She will lick any resident who needs a kiss and continue until the person says, "enough". She is able to evoke memories and acts as a confidant to any lonely resident. Recently, while on his monthly visit to Fulton Commons, a staff member observed a resident speaking to Django. The staffer was amazed and commented that the resident never speaks. Apparently Django's calm and patient demeanor and her obvious affectionate nature broke down barriers to communication and released a flood of memories.
Therapy dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Some are purebred with an impeccable pedigree that boasts of champion sires and dams. Others are mixes that have been rescued from cruel conditions or have had less than ideal beginnings. But whether from a renowned kennel, a municipal shelter, or a rescue group, the therapy dog loves people, loves to give and receive affection, is trainable, and willing to please. This is not to imply that every dog, pit bull or otherwise can become a therapy dog. What it does say is that it is temperament not conformation that determines whether a dog has the potential to be trained, tested, and registered as a therapy dog. The old adage - You can't always judge a book by its cover - is certainly applicable in the case of therapy dogs.
*Information concerning the origin and development of the pit bull was taken from numerous sources including the website Pitbull411.com
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