Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions about Love-A-Bull’s Pit Crew (All Pit Bull Therapy Dog Program)
1. What was the inspiration behind Pit Crew?
2. When did it all start?
3. Was it difficult to get everything going?
4. Did one person start Pit Crew or was it a group?
5. Why do pit bulls make good therapy dogs?
6. How old does a dog have to be to join Pit Crew?
7. Is there a minimum age for handlers?
8. What qualifications do the dogs have to possess?
9. What kind of training do the dogs have to go through?
10. Where does the Pit Crew visit?
11. Do any rescue dogs belong to Pit Crew?
12. Can pit mixes join?
13. Do the dogs visit places in a group or singly?
14. About how many visits are done a month by all of the dogs?
15. Are people always receptive to the program?
16. Do you encounter fear or hesitation because of the stigma attached to the breed?
17. Any future plans for Pit Crew?
18. Is Breed Discriminatory Leglislation a problem in Austin, TX?
19. What about the surrounding areas?
20. Any plans to expand to other parts of the country?
21. Any advice for someone who wants to try something similar?
22. What are some of the reasons why people love Pit Bulls?
23. Are you a non-profit organization?
24. Do you accept public donations?
25. Where can we follow progress on the Pit Crew and learn more?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the inspiration behind Pit Crew?
Love-A-Bull believes in educating and leading through example, as well as providing a wealth of community service through its programs. A major component of Love-A-Bull’s mission is to promote a positive public image of all dogs commonly labeled “pit bulls” so by placing these dogs in a setting where they are providing therapeutic services to youth and those with special needs, it shows that pit bulls are deserving of love, praise and respect. We hope that the Pit Crew program will open minds and replace negative stereotypes with more accurate and positive images. They are true “breed ambassadors.”
2. When did it all start?
Love-A-Bull launched its first Pit Crew training program on February 26, 2011, and had its first class graduation on March 26, 2011. You can read the official press release here.
3. Was it difficult to get everything going?
Since this is the first program of its kind anywhere, Love-A-Bull had to invent the wheel. The most difficult aspect was finding a facility in which the dogs could train and practice. The location needed to provide the dogs with an environment similar to what they would be encountering during therapy sessions. There was significant challenge finding a facility where the management and clients and community were open to the idea of a pit bull therapy group, but ultimately, the group found support with an open-minded elementary school principal.
4. Did one person start Pit Crew or was it a group?
All Love-A-Bull projects rely on volunteer support and group coordination, but the leader of the Pit Crew was Lydia Zaidman (co-founder), who was already participating in another therapy dog group with her dog, Mocha. But, Lydia wanted the Pit Crew to be its own organization through Love-A-Bull to further reinforce the idea that pit bulls can be (and are) wonderful therapy dogs in their own right. So, she spearheaded the project with local trainer, Julie Eskoff, whose therapy pitties, Moby and Pearl, joined Mocha and several others in the first class.
5. Why do Pit Bulls make good therapy dogs?
As natural “people-pleasers” pit bulls can be perfect therapy dogs. Their ability to learn quickly and adjust to various environments is a good fit for therapy work. By providing comfort and assistance to those with mental, emotional or physical challenges, pit bulls can prove, in one more important way, that they are talented, versatile, and loving animal companions.
6. How old does a dog have to be to join Pit Crew?
There is generally no age minimum, but adult dogs are most appropriate.
7. Is there a minimum age for handlers?
Handlers must be at least 18 years or older.
8. What qualifications do the dogs have to possess?
Anyone with a dog labeled as a “pit bull” can register for the Pit Crew’s training classes if his or her dog has passed the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and can provide proof. The dogs must be spayed/neutered, well-socialized, possess an appropriate temperament (not overly shy or overly excitable), and respond well to a variety of situations and stimuli. Generally, the temperament that will end up graduating must meet the following criteria: (1) friendly with people of all types and abilities; (2) controllable, predictable, reliable and calm, and (3) dog social.
9. What kind of training do the dogs have to go through?
Training sessions consist of intense instruction designed to prepare owners for the experiences that the dogs might typically encounter when performing therapy work. Classes run for 7 weeks. Our standards conform to the national standards set forth by the Delta Society.
10. Where does the Pit Crew visit?
The group offers animal assisted therapy to students at Gullet Elementary School, many of whom have special needs and are disabled. In addition, the Pit Crew offers reading assistance to students, many of whom also have special needs, such as dyslexia. The Pit Crew also visits the BeHive, an innovative afterschool program for school-age children in a neighborhood known for high crime, high unemployment, and lack of affordable, quality care for children. The Pit Crew also services Elder Haven, an adult day care program, as well as Regent Care Center, a nursing care facility. In addition, the Pit Crew has visited Perez Elementary School and KinderCare day care to offer advice on how to properly treat animals, has helped educate the public on animal care at TLAC’s Wellness Clinic, and has attended other public events, such as festivals, farmers’ markets and community-wide celebrations. New venues are always being added, but the Pit Crew intends to service only a small number of venues so that it can keep its ratio of volunteers to venues appropriate. The Pit Crew believes that customer service is of utmost importance.
11. Do any rescue dogs belong to Pit Crew?
Yes! All of the dogs in the Pit Crew were rescues.
12. Can Pit mixes join?
Of course!
13. Do the dogs visit places in a group or singly?
There are opportunities for both group activities and individual participation, though most therapy sessions will involve the whole group.
14. About how many visits are done a month by all of the dogs?
The frequency of activities is determined by the needs of the school or facility where the activities are taking place, so it varies.
15. Are people always receptive to the program?
There is always a challenge to combat negative stereotypes of pit bulls that have taken hold through sensationalized media and inaccurate reporting, so the Pit Crew faces the same kind of mixed reaction that all pit bulls do. But, we are making progress-there is already a ‘fan club’ at Gullett Elementary School called the “Pit Crew Peeps” made up of children who enjoy seeing the Pit Crew in their school and community, so we hope that others will become fans as well!
16. Do you encounter fear or hesitation because of the stigma attached to the breed?
Unfortunately, sometimes there is initial hesitation associated with pit bulls (again, because of the media hype that has shaped negative impressions), but is it also very common for a person to meet and pet those same dogs (or be licked or nuzzled, etc.), and completely change his/or her mind for the better, it only takes one good experience with a dog (or with anything, really) to form a new opinion, and we hope that by providing positive experiences through the Pit Crew (and other Love-A-Bull programs), that we can serve as a catalyst for changing minds, even if it happens one experience at a time.
17. Any future plans for Pit Crew?
We are still a young group, but we hope to keep growing in participants and the range of facilities that we can visit and community awareness that we can generate. As the first (and only) all Pit Bull Therapy Group in the country, we have already gained national interest, and we hope to serve as role models for other communities to start their own programs. Also, the Pit Crew has th ehonor of leading the Texas-Sized Pittie Pride Parade every year in Austin!
18. Is Breed Discriminatory Legislation a problem in Austin, TX?
Austin is a very open-minded community when it comes to animal welfare issues, but there is still a very real possibility of breed-specific restrictions rearing their ugly head when it comes to the Texas legislature. Fortunately, we did not see any breed-discriminatory legislation gain traction in this session, but it is always a threat that looms over pit bull owners, not only in Texas but all over the country (and in other countries, as well). Every day, we must do our part to promote responsible pit bull ownership and positive pit bull awareness in a shared effort to make BDL a thing of the past, everywhere.
19. What about the surrounding areas?
Yes, other towns and cities in Texas have encountered proposed breed-specific legislation, and although it is currently illegal in the state, that restriction is not always respected. We provide assistance and information to other communities (in Texas and beyond) to fight BDL and to encourage lawmakers to focus on strengthening enforcement of existing laws, giving owners access to support and resources, and to think about ways to improve public safety through non-breed-specific means.
20. Any plans to expand to other parts of the country?
Love-A-Bull is based solely in Austin right now.
21. Any advice for someone who wants to try something similar?
Love-A-Bull operates with a basic attitude of “let’s be brave and try it!” with many of its initiatives, because, frankly, pro-pittie programs in many communities are rare. We decided to fill a void in terms of positive education and outreach, and what it took was guts, energy, time and commitment. With those in place, anyone can do anything they put their minds to! We encourage others to plant a seed of an idea, give it some nutrients (time and effort), and given some support (contributions or shared effort by others), that idea can grow. That’s how Love-A-Bull started and how we continue to thrive. With the Pit Crew, it just took willingness from a local trainer who had therapy dog experience, openness and cooperation from our school principal, and the hearts, minds, and time of several dedicated pit bull owners – and of course, some fantastic dogs – these are the components to get it off the ground. We are anxious to see where it goes (and grows) from here!
22. What are some of the reasons why people love Pit Bulls?
Pit bulls embody all that is “good” in a dog-they are loving, loyal, smart, people-lovers, goofy clowns, and strong, athletic exercise and activity partners, as well as cuddling, nurturing, calm care-givers when needed most. They are great family dogs, and to so many, they are the best friends we cannot live without.
23. Are you a non-profit organization?
Yes, Love-A-Bull is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
24. Do you accept public donations?
Yes! Our programs depend on donations, and we appreciate anything that we receive. Please see our website for ways to give: http://love-a-bull.org/about/support
25. Where can we follow progress on the Pit Crew and learn more?
Love-A-Bull maintains information on the Pit Crew program on its website, at
http://love-a-bull.org/programs/the-pit-crew, and also on the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-A-Bull-Inc/44415036460.
Interested participants who have received the Canine Good Citizen certificate can sign up to take the Pit Crew training class via the Love-A-Bull Meetup Group, at
http://www.meetup.com/love-a-bull/events/calendar. Specific questions can be directed to Lydia Zaidman at lydia@love-a-bull.org.