Adopt a American Pit Bull Terrier (short coat)

8 FREE GROUP DOG TRAINING SESSIONS WITH OUR DOG WHISPERER/TRAINER in Orange City FL

Visit Jose working with ARK dogs: https://youtu.be/cVj2W2X0z9w; Jose's group lesson video: https://youtu.be/Sr844IQmGls

ADOPT FEE - FULLY VETTED:  $ 75

My Story: 

Dennis, a brown and white Pit Bull Terrier is a survivor. Not only was he lucky enough to escape death row at the Hillsborough County Animal Shelter in Tampa Florida, but he has also had health challenges in his 6 years a dog twice his age has not experienced. Dennis had ear infections that went untreated and robbed him of his hearing and then a diagnosis of cancer too.

 However, sweet, friendly Dennis is so happy to have a second chance at life he is not going to let any of this break his spirit.  According to his foster Adam Keehnle, Dennis is a happy, go lucky 60 lb lapdog who “talks” to everyone he meets.  

 Dennis’s journey started in July of 2016, when Lisa Palo and her rescue partner, Linda Perrigoue pulled him from the jaws of death at the shelter. Two groups, SavetheAnimalsSavetheWorld.org and Friends of Hillsborough County Animal Shelter, FOHCAS, banded together to raise funds for his care. It was believed at the time, that his ear infection and Heartworm positive status were both easily treatable.

 It was soon discovered that although Dennis was heartworm negative, his chronic ear infections not only caused him to be deaf, but also created an open wound on his neck which would not heal. Both were treated with round after round of antibiotics, but they stubbornly persisted and worsened. Then to make matters worse, seemingly overnight, Dennis developed a large lump on his leg,  That is when the vet gave the grim diagnosis of cancer.

 Linda and Lisa took him to two specialists, one who treated the Stage 2 mast cell Cancer with Prednisone and Benadryl, that thankfully responded to treatment. Because the tumor responded so well, the vet was confident that the Cancer was curable. And the other said that for his ears and neck a complex surgery would be required. It was determined that all of his issues be addressed with one expensive surgery performed by Dr. Matt Oakes at Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists.

 So Dennis was not out of the woods yet.  Lauren Contino, founder of SavetheAnimalsSavetheWorld.org put out a plea for Dennis asking all “angels” to

 “Please help Dennis get well! He needs surgery to save his life. He is one of the many animals we have saved! Donate for Dennis to save his life…let’s get him healthy before the holidays.”

  The wonderful folks at FOHCAS paid their maximum grant too. Linda and Lisa set up a You Caring to help pay for the expensive surgery and Lauren Contino continued her plea. Since then, Dennis has undergone two surgeries. The first was to remove the Cancer from his leg and to try to resolve the chronic ear infections in both ears by removing the eardrums. The surgery was successful until early February 2017 when the neck wound reappeared.  Specialty Veterinarian Dr. Oaks performed another surgery during which yet another issue was found.  Apparently, Dennis had suffered a trauma in his earlier life that completely destroyed the saliva glands on one side of his face. Talk about bad luck!

 Despite all of these setbacks, Dennis began to recover. All seemed well until February 15^th, 2017 when Dennis tore all of his stitches out.  He was once again rushed to Dr. Oakes who stapled the wound shut. Everyone crossed their fingers that this was the last bump in the road for this courageous dog. 

 Emotional Support Animals (ESA)

 Emotional Support Animals are not required to undergo specialized training. They can be dogs, cats, exotics, birds. Their primary role is to provide their owners with emotional comfort. Emotional support animals can benefit a disabled individual psychologically. The basic gift of companionship and unconditional affection can be the therapy needed to counter a condition like debilitating depression or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

    ESAs are protected under the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). People meeting the proper criteria are entitled to an ESA to assist them with life. The FHAA protects individuals by allowing ESAs to live with them regardless of breed (even with no pet policies). The ACAA protects individuals by allowing ESAs to fly with them in the cabin of an airplane without having to pay additional fees. ESAs are not required to be professionally trained. An owner can train the pet. A letter of need written by a mental health counselor may be required for those wanting to transport via plane or for landlords. For information regarding the legalities of ESA contact [email protected].

BARK, BARK - COME AND GET ME PLEASE!

contact [email protected]