Many would say they are the most feared breed of dog.

But one Michiana woman is setting the record straight, when it comes to pitbulls.

Karen Eis enjoys spending days outside with her dog Katie.

However, she knows the love she has for her dog’s breed is not shared by much of society, Katie is a pitbull.

“I would trust this dog with my life. In fact, if something happened to her, I would get another pitbull,” said Karen.

To Karen, Katie is more than just a loving pet. After playtime it is time to go to work.

This pitbull is a service dog. She is Karen’s support, literally, when the two go in public.

Karen has multiple sclerosis and received Katie nearly 4 years ago, saving her from a fate all too common with pitbulls.

Katie was part of litter found at a drug lord’s house.

The runt of the litter, at just 7-weeks old, Katie was being prepped to be a bait dog.

“They rub raw meat on them and throw them into an arena or pit and the other dogs learn to kill by killing that bait dog,” explains Karen.

Karen adopted Katie with the help of Midwest Assistance Dogs, and it was then their bond began.

“I sat on a chair. Katie came over to me and I picked her up and she went to sleep under my chin and I told my husband ‘I don’t care what type of dog this is, I want her,’" Eis explained thoughtfully.

Ever since then, Katie has been by Karen’s side, even becoming a hospice dog for the elderly.

However her favorite place to go is the supermarket. Where she is spoiled, showered with attention, and even given her favorite cookies.

Karen says when she takes Katie into public places, such as the grocery store, it is usually the kids who run up and want to play with Katie. However the adults stand to the side and get nervous. Karen says her goal is to change those people’s perspective on pitbulls.

“People sometimes see her and say ‘oh my god, that’s a pitbull!’ and I say ‘Yes, she is, but she is gentle.’”

“When she plays with larger dogs, she plays rough. When she plays with smaller dogs, she’s very gentle. When she plays with children and elderly, she’s very gentle,” said Karen.

At home, Katie helps Karen with taking off her shoes and socks or pulling her wheelchair.

Opening up the fridge or a cabinet can sometimes be painful for Karen but Katie is eager to help.

It is an unconventional bond and one Karen hopes will break stereotypes of this breed.

A breed and a very special dog, she is proud to call a member of the family.

“I feel that Katie and I are one. We are together all the time.”
She has been a miracle and a God-send to us, she cares for both of us,” says Eis.