Dogblog note: Below is a press release from Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center public relations coordinator Laura Atwood about what looks like a terrific new program coming to Anchorage. I'm told any pit bull adopted through AACCC in 2015 is potentially eligible to participate. Contact Atwood at 343-8138 for more information.
Anchorage Animal Care and Control, StubbyDog and Alaska Dog Sports partner for adopted pit bulls
Anchorage Animal Care and Control, StubbyDog, and Alaska Dog Sports are partnering to help pit bulls adopted from AACCC become pit bull ambassadors.
StubbyDog, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, will sponsor one 6-week obedience class at Alaska Dog Sports for all pit bulls adopted from AACCC. The aim of this program is to create pit bull ambassadors and responsible pet owners who will help change the public perception of these dogs. Although they are often perceived as aggressive, according to results from the American Canine Temperament Test Society, 86.8% of pit bulls pass their temperament test, compared to 85.2% of golden retrievers.
Mitzi Bolanos, Executive Director of StubbyDog, explains why she initiated this partnership with AACCC and Alaska Dog Sports: "We consider dogs as part of a family, and keeping family together is StubbyDog's priority. Anchorage Animal Care and Control does an amazing job finding animals their forever homes, and StubbyDog wants to make sure that they stay in those homes. Behavior issues can be overwhelming but we want the community to know that we're here to help. By sponsoring force-free training for pit bull-like dogs, StubbyDog sets adopters and their dogs up for success."
Anchorage Animal Care and Control is the open-admission shelter for the Municipality of Anchorage and provides temporary shelter to all domestic animals in need of new homes. AACCC also enforces Title 17 Animals of the Municipal Code.
StubbyDog is a national organization focused on changing public perception of pit bulls, and showcasing these intelligent and gentle dogs as loving family members.
Alaska Dog Sports is a private training facility whose mission is to better the lives of canines and companions through relationship based training.