FRANKLIN—Affectionate, loving, obedient and wonderful aren’t just pretty words for a Franklin woman who says her pit bull challenges stereotypes about the breed.

Carol Drewry doesn’t go along with the popular fear that all pit bulls are inherently dangerous. She’s found it’s a matter of how this breed of dog is raised, and Chunk is her personal proof.

The confidence in and the success of his training have led Drewry to have Chunk certified as a Therapy Dog. Just this past week, she took him to a couple of nursing homes to visit residents. That’s just part of her plan for she and the dog.

“I want to give back to the community I live in,” said Drewry, adding she also intends for the two of them to visit hospices and people who’ve been in traumas. There’s also an intention of having him join a reading program such as Tailwag Tutors. This is when children can read to the animals. The idea is that dogs never correct them and so the children grow in their reading skills.

“My goal is to reach as many people as possible,” Drewry said.

Chunk was rescued earlier this year from the Isle of Wight County Animal Shelter.

Hesitant at first to get another dog, she didn’t buy him right away. But there was just something about Chunk.

“I was drawn to him right away,” she said. “I can’t explain it.”

Obviously, he found a home with her.

“I think he’s approximately 2 years old,” she said. “He stays close by my side.”

This wasn’t Drewry’s first time dealing with dogs. She said she used to breed akitas and shiba inus.

“Animals have always been my deal,” Drewry said. “I’ve learned so much about the breed. Thousands are put to sleep just because they’re pit bulls. It’s very, very sad.”

She added that she would never leave a dog along with any child.

“It’s just common sense. I blame people for not being vigilant,” Drewry said about owners whose dogs – not just pit bulls – have attacked people.

To get Chunk to where he is now, required some special training.

That’s where Patty Allen and Pawsitive Attitudes in Carrollton came in.

“I’ve loved dogs my whole life,” said Allen. “I had a vision to help as many dogs and people as I can.”

Until recently, she’s had four dogs, one recently was quite old and had to be put to sleep. Another has retired from service.

“Working with the two others spiraled me tin getting involved and accepted as an evaluator. The rest is history,” said Allen, who added she’s tested over 200 dogs and certified close to 170 as Therapy Dogs.

She’s found that many people think such animals have to be pure bred. Mutts, or as Allen likes to call them, All-Americans, are no less worthy.

“The disposition of the dog that’s key,” Allen said. “Obedience to you is not guarantee. Training just helps them become a Therapy Dog.”

“We offer puppy classes, basic obedience, agility and nose work,” she said about her facility. “The passion I have is for therapy dogs, and I really hone in on those puppies who have potential, especially rescue dogs.”

She praised Chunk as such an example.

“He’s a wonderful dog. From Day One he was awesome in class,” Allen said, adding that training has continued and she commends Drewry for doing so.

To find out how Drewry and Chunk can brighten your day, call 510-6072.

To learn more about Pawsitive Attitudes, call 646-1037, email pgpawsitive@gmail.com, or visit either the website, www.thedogtrainer.org, or the training location at 21401 Brewers Neck Blvd., Carrollton, Va.

Therapy Dogs International is based in Flanders, N.J. Contact Therapy Dogs International at 973-252-9800; tdi@gti.net. You can visit www.tdi-dog.org or www.tdichapterdivision.org.