Pit Bulls and Parolees Offers Rehabilitation

Criminal Rehab and Pit Bull Training at Villalobos Ranch Outside LA

Nov 16, 2009 Allen Williams

This six part series highlights the Villalobos Ranch which is dedicated to pit bull training and criminal rehabilitation. Animal Planet airs the new reality mini-series.

Villalobos Ranch sits on 10 acres remotely situated outside of Los Angeles. Founded and run by Tia Maria Torres, the ranch is home to over 200 pit bulls which she rehabilitates in order to offer them for adoption to caring families. Animal Planet brings the ranch to TV in the reality mini-series Pit Bulls and Parolees.

Tia Maria dedicates herself to saving pit bulls from euthanization by giving them the training and human companionship the dogs had not received from their prior owners. She admits, "I know what it's like to be misunderstood." Coming from a broken home herself, Tia Maria expands her program by adding six ex-convicts to her team.

Animal Planet Spotlights Pit Bull Training and Criminal Rehabilitation at Villalobos Ranch

Currently airing on Animal Planet, Pit Bulls and Parolees is a six-part series showing the trials and tribulations of rehabilitating both dog and man. The series is sure to offer bittersweet moments as both pit bulls and ex-convicts learn to repair bad behaviors.

"Not many are willing to give a second chance to these parolees," says Torres, "but I have. And now the 'bad boys' of society meet the so-called 'bad boys' of the canine community, and boom! Just like that - they create magic together. They bring out a side of each other that's sweet, warm and unbelievably touching."

Tia Maria Torres Believes in Pit Bull Training and Criminal Rehabilitation

The result of a broken home and rough childhood, Tia Maria has grown up with a love for animals, often adopting neighborhood strays. She adopted her first pit bull in the 1990's when it leapt toward to her daughter, smothering her in kisses.

Tia Maria battled an abusive husband which resulted in his incarceration. Her next relationship would also end in a break-up, but as the relationship ended she mustered the determination to found Villalobos Ranch which is now the largest pit bull center in the nation.

In 2006, she created a program called The Underdawgz which brings parolees to the ranch to assist in caring for the pit bulls. The parolees feed the dogs, clean the kennels, and learn how to train the pit bulls so the dogs can become adopted.

Animal Planet Pit Bulls and Parolees Now Airing

A touching story of man and dogs, Villalobos Ranch shows that perceptions of convicts and pit bulls need to change. Bad behavior isn't an inherent trait but instead a lack of training which can be corrected through compassion and understanding.

Currently airing on Animal Planet, the six part Pit Bulls and Parolees reality mini-series shows how one woman's determination is helping to save the lives of both pit bulls and ex-convicts through pit bull training and criminal rehabilitation.

The copyright of the article Pit Bulls and Parolees Offers Rehabilitation in Reality TV is owned by Allen Williams. Permission to republish Pit Bulls and Parolees Offers Rehabilitation in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Pit Bulls and Parolees Airs on Animal Planet	Founder Tia Maria Torres	Rehabilitating Pit Bulls and Ex-Convicts
Pit Bull Training and Rehabilitation	Tia, Tania and the officers of WASCO State Prison