Pit Bull Set On Fire Recovers Helps Veteran With PTSD

When Army Corporal Derek Butler came home from Iraq, he was suffering from severe PTSD. After years of treatment and coming close to divorce, trainers showed him some possible PTSD service dogs. Last but definitely not least they brought in a scarred one year old pit bull puppy named Phoenix.

Butler said recalling their first meeting, “Phoenix came in, jumping around and happy, he drops down and rolls over and wants me to scratch his belly and then we clicked.”

Phoenix when he was a little puppy was beaten, tied to tree, soaked with kerosene and set on fire but somehow overcame the odds and survived.

Butler says that Phoenix can sense when he is depressed or angry and he nudges him with his head to get his attention and to get him to play and that he brings joy to the whole family.

“We both have a past, and we both are trying to move past it,” said Butler, “Although he’s better at it than me. He’s definitely helped save my life a couple times.”

Not only is Phoenix shattering the misconceptions about pit bulls being service dogs but he has never shown aggression or lashed out at anyone despite all the abuse he has been through.

Watch this video to see their story

This shows that no matter how badly pit bulls are treated or abused they can forgive, still love humans, provide
them with companionship and even become service dogs.

Pit bulls are amazing dogs!