Thousands of dogs help people daily as therapy dogs by visiting senior citizen care homes. Inmates eagerly await their weekly visits to be able to lavish praise and attention on them. pitbulls are an exceptionally good therapy dog. Here is a story about one.

Proud owner of Hershey the therapy dog speaks out:

I came across a loveable dog temporarily housed in a boarding kennel till a foster home was found. Windy lay on my lap thin but accepting my attentions. As I put her in the kennel to leave, she placed her face gently on the gate asking for a final pet. Her expression haunted me and we eventually adopted her. She was she about 6yrs old. Windy was thankful for any attention even drawing blood for the vet. She had lived in a crate continuously breeding pups at a puppy mill, and then discarded when useless. Her little joy was carrying her stuffed toys everywhere and to bed with her. Her hips and jaw had sustained injuries and she couldn’t open her mouth too wide.

Happy Lisa
Known now as Lisa, she is a healthy, happy, much loved, and nine years old. At the start she was uncertain of open spaces, toys and didn’t know what play was. With love and patience she is now a loving, secure dog that has a smile of greeting for all, and loves to swim and dive for rocks.

Additionally, St John’s Ambulance of Southern Ontario has this certified therapy pitbull named Lisa. Off she trots for work with her bandana on her ear, to see her pals at the senior citizens’ home. The Toronto Humane Society presented Hershey with an award, and several newspapers covered her tale. This new stardom has not robbed Hershey of her compassion and she has a knack of finding people who most need her. She sat with her head on the lap of her friend who was on oxygen apparatus during the large part of one visit.

A wonderfully patient and warm animal she has a wag and a smile for everyone. People have changed their opinion of the breed owing to her exceptional behaviour; though it has been heartbreaking to see others cross the street and tell their kids they should stay away from this kind. Rather than have Hershey persecuted we are moving to the country where she will have freedom and open spaces.

My thanks to Hershey for sharing her life and showing us the wonderful comical, loyal breed of dog a pitbull is. I don’t ever want to be without one in our lives.

Notes
Due to Breed Specific laws, Hershey together with all pitbulls will be taken off the Therapy Dog list soon.
The irrational fear of the public, media hype and these laws will prevent these dogs engaging in therapy work.
Hershey’s tale, confirms to me my special love for America’s pitbull Terriers who have an amazing capacity to love are an example to us all.