The Proper Pit Bull is an all-volunteer based organization dedicated to education, advocacy, and outreach.
Our Mission is to promote proper pit bull ownership and responsible rescue through community partnerships, education, and positive training. Our volunteers bring years of experience to the organization, sharing their valuable skills in rescue, training, and volunteering which is the foundation of our cause. Through their efforts, a solid organization has been created worthy of the pit bull type dogs we aid. We believe the only way an organization will survive and thrive is through building strong relationships; therefore, the majority of work we do is through outreach and partnerships with attuned organizations willing to assist in our own backyard.
Our Mission is to promote proper pit bull ownership and responsible rescue through community partnerships, education, and positive training. Our volunteers bring years of experience to the organization, sharing their valuable skills in rescue, training, and volunteering which is the foundation of our cause. Through their efforts, a solid organization has been created worthy of the pit bull type dogs we aid. We believe the only way an organization will survive and thrive is through building strong relationships; therefore, the majority of work we do is through outreach and partnerships with attuned organizations willing to assist in our own backyard.
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Nicole Garritano, President & Founding Member
Everyone has that one pit bull that started it all for them and sent them on a journey to make the world a better place for these wonderful dogs. For Nicole, that pit bull was Nissa, and later Neville, Nash and Nala. For over a decade, Nicole has been very active in advocacy and rescue. She has used her skill set as an event planner and her knack for networking and development to fundraise for a local rescue and through that rescue gained an extensive knowledge of pit bulls and dog training, for which she is forever grateful. Nicole has been an obedience instructor for the past 11 years and currently teaches the Bully Breed class at a local shelter. Nicole has also had the honor and privilege to assist and volunteer with three dogfighting confiscations. Because of a never ending desire to help pit bulls, Nicole decided to bring together a group of like-minded, passionate individuals and start The Proper Pit Bull. Confident of her team and their passion and drive, Nicole is certain that TPPB can assist in making our own backyard, and the world, a better place for pit bulls by becoming a viable resource for pit bull owners and advocates everywhere. Nicole currently shares her home and love with two pit bulls, Noelle and Nino, and their three cats, Riley, Royce and Rogue. |
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Toni Kunselman, Vice President
Toni is so thankful that she finally found a group that helps to address the core issues we see in the community regarding pit bull type dogs. She has joined a group of like minded people that support one another and do everything they can, together as a team to make a difference in the lives of these dogs. It is always about the dogs first and foremost. She is a firm believer that rescue and advocacy is not a race. It's not about outdoing some other group but instead working together to make this world a better place for these sweet dogs... for all animals. |
Jess Pollis, Volunteer Manager
Jess has been an animal lover all her life. Growing up with cats, reptiles, and fish, it wasn't until 2015 that she brought home her first dog. After establishing her career as a Graphic Designer, she decided it was time to have the loyal companion of a dog. Without knowing much about pit bulls or dogs in general, Jess decided to take a visit to the shelter where she met Odin. Odin was so friendly and loving that she took him home the next day without a doubt in mind that he was going to be perfect for her. Sure enough it was the perfect match, however, she quickly realized how much breed discrimination was going to play into her life and wanted to do something about it. After her first dog class, she learned about "The Proper Pit Bull" and felt it would be a great way to advocate for the breed. Odin crossed the rainbow bridge in August of 2022 and is dearly missed. Jess now spends her time working with Hector (TPPB Alumni, Calvin) who enjoys scent work class and chewing on his favorite toys. In January of 2023 she adopted a sweet girl named Willow who loves her new life as a queen!
Jess has been an animal lover all her life. Growing up with cats, reptiles, and fish, it wasn't until 2015 that she brought home her first dog. After establishing her career as a Graphic Designer, she decided it was time to have the loyal companion of a dog. Without knowing much about pit bulls or dogs in general, Jess decided to take a visit to the shelter where she met Odin. Odin was so friendly and loving that she took him home the next day without a doubt in mind that he was going to be perfect for her. Sure enough it was the perfect match, however, she quickly realized how much breed discrimination was going to play into her life and wanted to do something about it. After her first dog class, she learned about "The Proper Pit Bull" and felt it would be a great way to advocate for the breed. Odin crossed the rainbow bridge in August of 2022 and is dearly missed. Jess now spends her time working with Hector (TPPB Alumni, Calvin) who enjoys scent work class and chewing on his favorite toys. In January of 2023 she adopted a sweet girl named Willow who loves her new life as a queen!
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Vanessa Wheeler, Scholar Pit Manager,
Secretary & Founding Member Vanessa attributes her love of animals to her father and her love of rescue to her first dog, Sasha. Sasha was a pit bull mix that Vanessa adopted from Animal Friends in January of 2010. By the end of the same year, Vanessa would find herself volunteering at that very shelter. She has been involved in rescue in various capacities since then, even joining several of her rescue friends out of state assisting in dog fighting confiscation efforts. While pursuing her Master of Public Health Vanessa had the opportunity to intern at the Humane Society of the United States in their state legislative affairs department. This led to her graduate thesis, "Breed Specific Legislation: Does policy equal prevention?" being presented at the Annual Public Health Association Conference in 2015. Vanessa also landed her dream job as a full-time professional dog handler to a specially trained Canine Advocate named Nelly for a local victim services organization. The lessons she learned in that position greatly influenced her approach to group training classes where she has been a lead instructor since 2019. She may have lost her pit bulls Henry (2020) and Sasha (2021), but she keeps their memory in her heart everyday through her volunteer work and fostering. Her current pit bull mix, Keisel, assists her in classes and keeps everyone laughing with his old man grumbling. |
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Danielle Brunner, Marketing Manager
& Founding Member Danielle has been immersed in animal rescue since 2008 when she rescued her first dog – an American Pit Bull Terrier. Since then, she has played a volunteer role in dogfighting confiscations, training, kennel enrichment and advocacy. Danielle believes that it's important to help those who cannot help themselves, and to be a voice for those who cannot speak. She is proud to be that voice with The Proper Pit Bull. |
Michelle Tennant, Founding Member
Michelle was first introduced to pit bulls in August 2005 when she was rescued by Diamond, a pit mix. Diamond had a rough start to life; an owner that didn't want her and a handful of medical conditions that needed immediate treatment. With her zest for life, she never gave up! Diamond taught Michelle how to love unconditionally and showed her a life she never imagined. In 2018 Diamond was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Michelle and Mark adopted Stella (Poster Pit Stella) and she had 4 great days with big sister Diamond. Being involved with The Proper Pit Bull helps keep Diamond’s spirit alive, and is a way to show others how awesome these dogs are!
Michelle was first introduced to pit bulls in August 2005 when she was rescued by Diamond, a pit mix. Diamond had a rough start to life; an owner that didn't want her and a handful of medical conditions that needed immediate treatment. With her zest for life, she never gave up! Diamond taught Michelle how to love unconditionally and showed her a life she never imagined. In 2018 Diamond was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Michelle and Mark adopted Stella (Poster Pit Stella) and she had 4 great days with big sister Diamond. Being involved with The Proper Pit Bull helps keep Diamond’s spirit alive, and is a way to show others how awesome these dogs are!
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Jenny Huff
Jenny committed herself to pit bull rescue and advocacy after adopting her first dog, Kova, in July of 2016. Jenny had been aware of the stigma against bully breeds and had herself been uncertain about the truth behind these amazing creatures, that is until the day she fell in love with her special girl. Jenny has long been an avid animal lover, growing up with several dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and everything in between since her childhood. Her mother taught her the importance of respecting animals and loving them as your own from an early age, and it has followed her throughout her life. She became involved in The Proper Pit Bull in 2017 as a way to give back after receiving a Scholar Pit scholarship for her girl, and found herself managing the program within a year. Jenny is an active volunteer, assisting with tabling, enrichment, training classes, and events & fundraising. She is proud to be an advocate for the breed and continues to dedicate her time to breaking the stigma for others. |
founding members
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Michele Carso
Amy Crognale Ed Crognale Ruschelle Dillon Christine Flint Joyce Garritano Samantha Ginsburg Amber Grimm Donna Johnson |
Vanessa Wheeler
Tracy Leshen Jessica McNeely Alexis Meier Jen Orris Scott Orris Nick Parchinsky Tena Parker Jen Powers |
Lesley Price
Sarah Shively Mark Smith Sandra Smith Laura Soman Cara Richards Karen Westerman Dan Westerman Sherrianne Gleason |