Can A Pit Bull Be A Service Dog? | Service Dog Certifications

Almost six years ago I rescued an American bull terrier from the center of a busy four lane highway where she was nearly killed. After being unable to find her home, and then a home for her, we ended up adding her to our family. We soon found out that she had been abused. Abigailigotyourtail is her full name now. Little did I know that two years later I would have a series of health issues culminating with a stroke during a heart surgery. She has alerted people on two occasions that I was having a medical emergency, and she assists me with balance as I recover from the effects of the stroke on my right leg. After stepping up to the plate to help me, we decided to have her trained as a service dog, which she aced rapidly. Today, she is my constant companion as my job requires me to walk on many uneven surfaces on building sites. She is a God-send. She knows exactly what to do and when to do it. She lives to please me. She is so gentle with kids, animals and people. She is very calm and stable in everything she does. She has her own ‘following’ and after 50 some years I finally know what its like to be in the ‘most popular crowd.’ Everyone adores her. I have 3 coworkers who were absolutely terrified of dogs, and petrified even more of pit bulls, that are now among her best friends. It is not uncommon for me to hear “Hey Abigail!” from down the street from someone whom I have never met. She is absolutely the most well behaved service dog I have ever encountered in public, and I have been spoiled royally by her. Any situation I put her in she just shines. She is charging headstrong through all the negativity that her breed has received and proving to everyone she meets that pit bulls cannot just BE service dogs, but they are among the very BEST service dogs. She is changing even the hardened hearts that were once against pit bull type dogs. I am an outdoors-man, but this leg has made it impossible for me to hike like I once did. So I took up kayaking instead. Abby is my ‘wing-man’ and adores going out on the water. She does her own version of Kate Winslet on the bow in the wind like she were on the Titanic. I thank God every single day for her and I know that if the time ever occurs where we have to separate, I would absolutely NEVER consider any other breed for a service dog. Kudos to Abby–I love you with all my heart!