Many may remember when NFL quarterback Michael Vick's dog fighting business leaked to the press in April of 2007.
Despite Vick's punishment, which included 23 months in prison, indefinite suspension from the NFL and the dissolution of his public persona, the true victims of this story are the forever-damaged canines.
These pets now seek refuge in southern Utah's Best Friends Animal Society, a facility where Michael Dix, a graduate of UNH's class of 1992, is the medical director. The refuge is will also be featured on the National Geographic Channel on the new series, "Dogtown."
"It is hard for me to say if Michael Vick is truly sorry for his actions," said Dix. "I sure hope so and I hope that his actions bring attention to dog fighting and help put an end to it. It would be nice if he realized what he did was wrong and he was sorry for it, but if his celebrity brings dog fighting awareness and puts an end to it, that is what matters to me."
Dix attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine after his UNH experience. He also completed the Colorado State Veterinary Medical Acupuncture course in 2001.
The National Geographic Channel created the "Dogtown" with the intent to follow the lives of abused dogs on their roads to recovery.
The sanctuary takes in over 600 dogs with the hopes of rehabilitating them to become adoptable in the future. However, this is not the case with all of the dogs, some of which will live the duration of their lives at the society.
The show highlights dogs whose progresses can be readily depicted over time. Each episode focuses on one or two canines with a rough past, hopefully seen again throughout the season with great improvement from the initial episode.
Each show relays a story of the horrific experience the dog endured and the various methods of treatment it will undergo. There also are 1,000 other animals that reside at the facilities. The animals include cats, rabbits, birds, horses, goats and pigs. "Unfortunately, our space is limited so we cannot take every animal, but we have a department that gives assistance to groups and helps them to help themselves," said Dix. Dix is a veterinarian, and his main duties consist of doing routine procedures such as spays, neuters and physical exams. He also works with medical emergencies the animals may encounter. Dix has freedom with the funds, enabling the procedures to be performed without hesitation, something not always common at other shelters or societies. "I think our organization is great because we do a lot for animal welfare in general, but what keeps me coming back to work is the individual triumphs that I see on a weekly basis," said Dix. He said he believes the show hasn't drastically changed his life, but is a career he fully enjoys and cares deeply about. "The most rewarding aspect of my job is to be able to help an animal that has been through a horrible situation and watch that animal begin to trust people and enjoy life," said Dix. The basis of the show is society's importance and ability to give animals a second chance, as well as increase awareness of animal abuse.
"I think that the National Geographic Channel does a good job of getting across our group's mission and does it in an entertaining way," said Dix. "If the show helps increase awareness of other animal issues then the extra work to put the show together is worth it." The premiere of "Dogtown" airs on the National Geographic Channel at 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10.
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