Michael Vick Dog Gets A Second Chance

A pitbull that once belonged to Michael Vick and used for dogfighting has a new gig!

Leo is now a therapy dog at both the Camino Infusion Center where he brings comfort to to patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, and he’s also working at Alternative Placement Academy in San Jose, where the young men seem to identify with the dog’s hard-luck background.

“He is wonderful, and all the patients love Leo,” said Paula Reed, the Infusion Center’s oncology director. “They really love his eyes and gentleness.”

Leo was rescued along with 50 other pitbulls when Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels in Virginia was raided last year. Michael Vick, the now-former quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, is currently serving 23 months in federal prison for his roll in the illegal dogfighting ring which resulted in abused, neglected and dead dogs.

Leo ended up in the care of Marthina McClay, president of Our Pack, an advocacy group for pit bulls. After five weeks of intense instruction, supervision and acclimation he began his new career.

“The difference that he’s had with our patients has been incredible — the smiles on their faces, the joy when they see him,” said Reed of the cancer center. “Leo is a survivor and our patients are survivors, and I think they can relate to each other.”

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have something in my eye.