Pit Bull Hershey is a Certified Therapy Dog in Southern Ontario
NEW WHELPING ROOM COMING SOON:
This the framing for our new whelping room. Stay tuned. for updates
THIS IS HERSHEY’S STORY AND WHY WE ARE AGAINST BSL:
Among her many wonderful charms is her new found stardom as a certified therapy dog with St. John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog Program in Southern Ontario.
Hershey’s smile is ear to ear when her bandana goes on and she knows it is time for work. Off she trots to visit her friends at the senior’s home.
Cookies are given out with lots of love and scratches. The visitors are full of stories of their day and kisses for Hershey and her therapy partner Miss Madigan, a beautiful fawn coloured Bull Mastiff.
Due to her outstanding service with the seniors and her restricted breed status in Ontario, Hershey was presented with an award from the Toronto Humane Society during Be Kind to Animals Week.
She received a medal and a few newspapers and news channels carried her story including the Toronto Star, The Toronto Sun, and City TV.
CTV highlighted her story with the seniors and it was shown throughout Ontario on the CTV news.
Hershey has a remarkable ability to find the people who need her the most. If someone is not feeling well that day she will be at their feet for most of the visit.
One time one of her regular seniors had to be put on oxygen to assist her breathing. When we arrived for the visit, Hershey went immediately to this lady and sat in front of her walker staring at the oxygen pump.
With every pump Hershey cocked her head to the side trying to figure what this new apparatus was. She then proceeded to walk over to sit beside her friend and place her head on her lap as if to say, “I’m not sure what is wrong but I’m here to help”. Hershey sat there for most of the visit.
This dog is a wonderfully warm, patient creature with a heart of gold and has a smile and a wag for every man, woman or child she meets.
She is a special soul and has changed many people’s opinions on the breed. She has attended many dog shows or special events only to be on her back the entire time with her four paws up in the air looking for belly rubs.
To be judged for her breed is a horrific situation and is very heart wrenching.
When we go out in public people cross the street when they see us coming, families have pointed her out and told their children, “these are dogs you have to stay away from.” Growing up as a child my parents taught me to never judge a book by its cover…you must look beneath to discover the true meaning of a person.
It is unfortunate that we must now move out to the country to give Hershey and her family some private spaces and freedom to run around without being persecuted for the beautiful creature that she is.
Thank you Hershey for sharing your life with us and showing me what a loyal, comical breed Pit Bulls can be. I will never live without one in my life.
Jennifer Waite
Proud owner of 3 perfect Pitties
Please Take a Moment to visit the following websites and show them your support.
Bullies in Need and Southern Ontario Animal Rescue
Because of Breed Specific Legislation Hershey will no longer be able to be a Therapy Dog in Canada.
Sadly, Hershey along with all of the Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes are going to be removed from the Therapy dog program by August 29th 2006t
Breed Specific Legislation, people’s irrational fear, and the media hype effectively snuffed out the joy these dogs bring to people through their therapy work.
I don’t even know Hershey, or any of the Pit Bulls in Canada, but I feel deeply hurt by the fact they will no longer be able to comfort folks who look forward to their loving presence.