The Pit Bull Doctor: Why I Built My Business Around Pit Bulls

Pit bulls are at the center of some of the biggest debates in dog behavior, housing policies, and public safety. But what if I told you that most of what people, including claimed experts, know to be true is based on false narratives that have been generated for decades? What if I told you what people think and say about pit bulls is a direct indicator of how they think and feel about groups of people? The way people, particularly those in power, feel about groups of people is directly reflected in the policies and practices observed by most businesses, landlords, and even families making decisions, often to their own detriment.

I built my business around pit bulls because the ways pit bulls and their owners are treated represents how systems can and are intentionally created to disenfranchise certain groups. The exclusion of pit bulls and their families through breed restrictions, breed bans, and breed specific legislation dangerously resembles how Jim Crow laws were intended to exclude Black people from American society. For example, although there isn’t proper data to support, many believe that Black and Latino people are the top owners of pit bull type dogs. When considering the current housing policies and practices, it leads me to question the extent to which the passing of breed specific legislation and breed restrictions is intended to protect the public or just exclude people based on their identity without any consideration of whether their dog is an actual threat to public safety to begin with.

When I first started my journey with pit bulls, it wasn’t just about training dogs—it was about making a difference in the lives of people and animals who face unfair stereotypes and discrimination. Growing up, I saw how these amazing dogs were misunderstood, discriminated against, and often labeled as dangerous based on nothing more than myths, misconceptions, and a refusal to face the facts.

As a Black woman with a pit bull of my own, I experienced firsthand the challenges that come with owning a dog who’s often judged by their breed before I even got my dog. Although I knew that most pit bull type dogs are sweet and friendly, I encountered breed discrimination at every turn when seeking to access housing, public access, and even accommodations like hotels and AirBnbs. Due to the likelihood of discriminatory treatment, I was intentional in choosing my dog and ensuring she was friendly, well-behaved, confident, well-socialized, and had a stable temperament. Justice poses no threat to any home, hotel or Airbnb accomodation, or public venue. Justice started as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) and later completed service dog training. This journey opened my eyes to the profound bond that can exist between humans and their pit bulls when given the opportunity to truly understand each other. It also highlighted the unfairness when the people who need and deserve it most are penalized or not permitted equitable access to choose the lifestyle and dog breed that best suits them.

I realized that pit bulls, like any other breed, are incredibly loyal, loving, and intelligent when trained correctly. However, they are often given a bad reputation because people misunderstand their behavior or make assumptions about individual dogs based on stereotypes, generalizations, or sensationalized media coverage. I wanted to build a business that would not only help people train their dogs but also advocate for their rightful place in society, free from breed discrimination and negative stigma.

Pit bulls are not inherently aggressive. They are a product of their genetics, environment, upbringing, and how they’re treated by the world around them. Through my work, I aim to help dog owners understand how to communicate effectively with their pit bulls, build strong, trusting relationships, and successfully navigate the specific societal challenges commonly faced by pit bull owners.

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Do you know someone who has a pit bull or have one yourself? Have you experienced mistreatment due to the stigma surrounding your pit bull’s breed? Comment and let me know. I’d love to engage and hear your story!