Pit Bulls Helping Kids Trust Again
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37 commentsA daycare manager at a safe haven for homeless women and their children is doing her part to change perceptions of a much maligned breed.
Kira Armbruster is the daycare manager at Fresno’s Evangel Home. Once a week, she brings her 3-year-old English Bulldog, Chubbs, to work her. Chubbs brings his friends to work with him, like Foxy, the 3-year-old pit bull who joined him for a visit this week. Roxy is currently homeless, but is acting as a breed ambassador by teaching children not to fear her, or dogs who look like her.
She explains, “To get kids used to being around big dogs and pit bulls and get them exposed to big dogs… not all the kids here have been exposed to big dogs…. to teach them that they’re big… but they’re safe… they’re okay… I don’t have to be afraid of them.”
Gerre Brenneman, Evangel Home Executive Director, says she believes these dogs are heaven sent.
“A lot of the kids here are scared of everything… I think you saw that today… Whenever there’s a dog that just lets them be… He invites them in. I’ve seen that with a lot of our kids… when Chubbs is here… and sometimes Roxy… it’s just like an invitation to trust,” she said.
For dogs and kids without homes, finding common ground on a California playground is the first step in building that trust.
<3
<3 Pits. We adopted one 2 yrs ago & he's the best!!
They are angels in disguise.
Just show u this should b made for tv to show how wonderful these pittys r when looked after with love x
<3
Pit bulls with scared kids?this is a good thing??
they were the baby sitters of the 1800s…pics of them always with infants.<3
And now I’m crying to a point of no return…at work…trying to fight the tears back and it’s not working. This was BEAUTIFUL (now crying some more)
Great coverage on a wonderful breed <3
What a wonderful story! =)
beautiful story… thank you for posting!
cute but id never own a pit bull, theyre too dog aggressive
Not all of them are dog agressive. The girl in this video Roxy is good with other dogs, cats and as you can see children. I adore her and am blessed to visit her as often as possible.
Pitbulls are the Best breed!!!!! <3
Awesome story!!!GOD bless the daycare manager and the women and children there!! Makes my American Pit Bull Terrier and her doggie pittie cousins who live with us very PROUD 2 lay claim 2 the “Pit Bull’ title!
Love this!
Amazing! Love pitties! Miss my old man!!!
Glad I don’t have kids at that daycare.
Why? Because they’d be having fun playing with dogs?
<3 this
Are pit bulls heaven-sent? We could ask the poodle, but its unavailable for comment.
http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20120209/HURBLOG/120209544
This is beautiful<3<3
Great story……with a happy ending for a misunderstood breed. I have a pit bull I found and she is wonderful. Don’t get me wrong I love all my dogs but she has a special place in my heart. We found each other. Janet you are entitled to your opinion not all dogs are good with children but don’t discriminate the “pit bull” because of the breed.
Wonderful story. Phil, any breed of dog can attack, it’s more about being a responsible owner and knowing your dog.
As per usual, it isn’t the dog’s problem that some have been mis handled, it is a human problem. This story is inspiring.
All dogs can be nasty, its all depends how they are brought up by their owners.
Jan, saying “any breed of dog can attack” ignores the issue of probability. And a chihuahua might attack, but it isnt going to kill another dog or a person. As for “knowing your dog”, the owner of the pit bull that killed the poodle said her dog never attacked anything before, so maybe her dog was harder to know than she realized?
Sadly the pit attacked the poodle and killed it. But, it is still very true that any breed can attack. It happens all the time. And yes, a big strong dog, like a pit, has the potential to do more harm. While knowing your dog impacts the decision to have the dog around kids or other animals, knowing the warnings and behaviors dogs display is more important. Virtually all attacks could be avoided and/or prevented if someone was paying attention and knew what to look for. I witnessed dog attacks/bites. It is very scary, but not rogue! There is a reason! Some people will say, “it was for no reason.” But, that is only because it is imperceptible to them. Humans often miss the signs. The issue ALWAYS lies with the human. Humans can set dogs up for success or failure. I don’t pretend to understand all the nuiances. Dogs notice subtlties that humans simply can’t. Humans are too self-absorbed. But, when there is real trust. When a dog trusts it is safe, it is trustworthy. Dogs don’t see humans as an extention of themselves. People say they love their dog. But, really they love the attention they get from the dog and that the dog is cute or looks a certain way. Sad, and shallow, but true!
I’m with you, Catherine! I work with animals every day, and there are ALWAYS warning behaviors before any aggression and these animals (pitties in general) are simply not being set up for success.
Yay Fresno Bully Rescue!!!
any way i can download this pic would love to send it to belfast city council xx
Love it
Dogs and little kids have a lot in common…adults humans are the ones that cause problems for both!
nice
Good story. I hope that Pits get a better reputation. I hope the people who own them are responsible and that they are loved and treated kindly. The kids in the video looked like they liked the dogs.
Great story. The kids and the dogs looked like they liked each other.
Great story the kids and the dogs look like they liked each other.