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Coming up on Kentucky life...

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How traditional mountain  
music music is being played.

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And preserved one  
luthier shop at a time.

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From Middlesboro to outer space.

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We'll meet an astronaut 
who hails from Bell County.

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We'll explore the legacy of 
coal mining in the state.

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With a visit to the Kentucky 
Coal Museum in eastern Kentucky.

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And why are so many pit 
bulls in local pet shelters?

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We'll take a look at 
the negative stigmas.

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That often cause these 
pets to go without a home.

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All that's next on 
Kentucky Life.

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♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

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Hey, everybody, and 
welcome to Kentucky Life.

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I'm your host, Chip Polston.

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Now, our show today brings us to 
the town of Benham, Kentucky.

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We're just a few miles away from 
the Virginia-Kentucky border.

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Here at the Kentucky Coal Museum

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This facility explores the 
 history of the coal industry.

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Here in eastern Kentucky.

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Now, Benham was set 
up as a company town.

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By Wisconsin Steel back in 1911.

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And this building housed what 
was known as the company store.

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which in many areas 
was the only place.

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Where miners could 
spend their pay.

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The museum looks at the history 
of mining in this region.

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And we can't wait 
to check it out.

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But first, luthiers, which comes 
from the French word for lute.

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Are crafts people 
who use precision.

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And time-honored techniques 
 to build and repair.

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Stringed instruments.

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But the luthier shop is  
often much more than a place.

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For repairs.

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It's a crucial gathering  
spot that connects musicians.

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In search of a community.

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And as we'll see, happens 
to play a fundamental part.

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In the preservation of 
traditional mountain music.

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♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

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This is a link that is 
as old as these mountains.

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The families that lived here.

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The traditions that 
they transmit,

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And all of these traditions 
have melded together.

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In passing along this 
musical tradition.

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That is so deep to the heart.

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It's as deep as the mountains.

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You can trace traditional music 
back for 400 or 500 years.

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And of course, it's evolved but 
it's music that has deep roots.

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In the past and in families 
and communities and places.

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So it's sort of more like the 
natural music that people.

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Did out of a need because 
music was just a natural.

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Unquestioned part of their lives

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♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

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♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

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This is her banjo.

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She was wanting to 
use it for the class.

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And she brought it 
over yesterday to me.

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It was covered in dust.

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You should have  
seen it. On occasion.

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I have to take my glasses off 
because I'm getting real old.

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Laughs.

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♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

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We're playing regional 
old time music.

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And that has its own stories 
and, you know, history.

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Whatever culture 
all tied to that.

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And that's all tied 
to the instruments.

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♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

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Luthiers are 
instrument specific.

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I think Jim Webb is 
kind of special in that.

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He's mainly known 
as a banjo person.

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But he also has made 
and worked on mandolins.

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He's kind of the banjo 
guy for East Kentucky.

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My dad was a luthier but 
he also did repair work.

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Repair work brings a huge amount 
of musicians into your store.

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They bring their instruments.

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A lot of times if they're 
driving in from a long ways.

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They bring their 
buddies with them.

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Because they don't wanna drive 
 three hours by their self.

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Nine times out of ten, 
those buddies pick music.

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And so you end up having 
like many concerts here.

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Well, as soon as you walk 
in there, you feel it.

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I mean, the ambience 
of an old country store.

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That's converted 
into a music shop.

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And a workshop and a 
 place for jam sessions.

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It's got that feeling.

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It's really a perfect place.

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You know, you're driving out 
through this beautiful country.

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And all of a sudden  
there's a little store there.

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Only it's a music store.

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And so that's what I've 
been trying to build upon.

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That my dad got started 
in this community.

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Try to do workshops, 
that sort of thing.

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We teach all kinds 
of people how to play.

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And we kind of do it in 
a style that we learned.

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At Cowan Creek 
Mountain Music School.

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And a lot of those instructors 
 from Cowan Creek Mountain.

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Music School actually come 
here and teach workshops.

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We've had probably six or seven 
in just the past three months.

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There has to be these certain 
folks in our community.

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That are carrying 
on luthier traditions.

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And a love for the  
old instruments.

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Growing up here I always 
assumed that this place.

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Would always be here.

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Then the fire ended up happening

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I had a outpouring 
of community support.

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A lot of people who 
used to hang out here.

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Whenever I was 
younger came down.

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Helped us clean up.

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Donations of money, donations of 
time, labor and all that stuff.

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Was able to build it back.

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It really, really kind 
of changed my focus.

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Several of my friends in the old 
time music community was talking

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They're like.

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We need another festival, 
it's been three years.

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Are you gonna have your 
 festival this year?

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Well, it was a kicker in 
 me to get things going.

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Stidham is one of the premier 
all time music festivals.

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In the State of Kentucky.

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And so I was like, well, 
what I wanna do is showcase.

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These people that come 
down and work so hard.

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To teach workshops and 
do concerts that are in here.

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So that's what I did.

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♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

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Bluegrass Festivals.

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All that sort of stuff 
that encourages folks.

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From different communities 
to get together.

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Is usually pretty exciting.

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♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

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This community, this Kentucky 
old time music community.

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It wouldn't exist without 
eing able to gather.

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♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

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With this particular 
type of music.

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It's meant to be played 
with other people.

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♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

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And it's meant to sit together 
and hang out and tell stories.

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About the tunes.

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Tell stories about who 
you learned it from.

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When folks have these gatherings

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Then you get folks coming 
from all over different states.

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To come just because they 
have a genuine interest.

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In the sort of the same 
stuff that we do.

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You know, we all come to, 
to sort of fellowship.

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And see what everybody else 
has been doing with it.

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And I think that's what 
the importance of these.

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Are is this also sort of 
help give you a broader.

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Perspective on the 
music as well.

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Playing guitar, singing.

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♪ Way back home...

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We are in constant search of 
self and a tune and a story.

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♪ It's not the same anymore.

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There has to be these certain 
folks in our community.

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That are carrying 
on luthier traditions.

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♪ I wonder if the family circle.

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They're kind of cornerstones 
in this community.

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I mean, what are musicians 
without their instrument?

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What I'm hoping to do is  
keep Kentucky music alive.

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I was raised up here 
and it's in my blood.

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♪ Yes, I wonder if the family 
circle will all get home.

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Millions of years ago.

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A meteorite struck an area 
now known as Middlesboro.

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Kentucky, one of the  
few cities in the world.

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Built inside a crater.

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Now in the present day.

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One Middlesboro native has 
gone beyond the crater.

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To the stars above.

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John Shoffner spent 
much of his time.

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As a young boy looking 
up at those stars.

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Never imagining just how close 
he would come to them one day.

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Meet Middlesboro's very 
own Appalachian astronaut.

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Ten, nine...

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Just because I grew up 
here in the mountains.

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Eight, seven...

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I never really felt like 
that was limiting for me.

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Six, five...

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Two years of work.

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Four, three...

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You get down to that 
 last one second.

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Two, one. The arm's 
opening up now.

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It's not a blast off, 
just this gentle lift.

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They didn't last long.

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I grew up in  
Middlesboro,Kentucky.

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We're far away from 
anything related to space.

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But in the early 1960s.

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The US was beginning 
its space program.

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The actual first space 
race had just begun.

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Ignition sequence start.

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I was eight years old.

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Several of us started a little 
astronauts club in Middlesboro.

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We'd meet on Saturdays.

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And we would have 
cardboard boxes.

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To pretend to be Gemini pilots.

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Those were our role models.

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They became people 
that we followed.

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And since they were real people.

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It was easy for us to understand

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That space was really happening.

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And it was a place that 
we could learn about.

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I think that it is crucial.

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To have someone in 
your life like that.

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00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:03,533
Who is that person.

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00:11:04,100 --> 00:11:04,833
And I use the phrase.

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A lot that you can't 
be it unless you see it.

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Middlesboro Middle School, 
this is Mission Control Houston.

202
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Please call station... checking.

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Well, it's important  
that we all have goals.

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00:11:18,266 --> 00:11:19,566
And then we have 
to have something.

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00:11:19,566 --> 00:11:21,033
To personify 
that goal to.

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00:11:21,366 --> 00:11:23,733
To make it feel 
real and accessible.

207
00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:26,333
Sometimes that 
can be a coach.

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00:11:27,166 --> 00:11:29,900
That can be a teacher, 
whatever shape it takes.

209
00:11:29,900 --> 00:11:33,833
It is important that someone has 
someone in their life.

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00:11:33,833 --> 00:11:36,366
That says you can be more 
than what you think.

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00:11:36,366 --> 00:11:37,233
That you can be.

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00:11:37,833 --> 00:11:41,633
I truly believe that, at that 
point in everyone's life.

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00:11:41,633 --> 00:11:44,166
8, 10, 12, 14 years old.

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You have something that you 
are primarily interested in.

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00:11:48,233 --> 00:11:51,200
That one really, really big 
thing that you always.

216
00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:52,166
Look forward to doing.

217
00:11:52,166 --> 00:11:53,200
It's who you are.

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00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:56,533
It's the core of what you 
 believe yourself to be.

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So acting on that 
or having a system.

220
00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:02,633
Or a way for that 
voice to come out.

221
00:12:03,300 --> 00:12:06,266
And then help lean that  
student into more of that.

222
00:12:06,266 --> 00:12:07,966
Put more of that 
into that student.

223
00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:09,933
My name is Landon.

224
00:12:10,500 --> 00:12:13,300
My question is, what 
happens when you sneeze?

225
00:12:13,300 --> 00:12:16,033
laughter

226
00:12:16,033 --> 00:12:17,400
I'll sneeze in this 
direction because.

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00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:18,733
I don't want it to 
get on the camera.

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00:12:18,733 --> 00:12:19,833
Sneezes.

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00:12:19,833 --> 00:12:23,766
Laughter.

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00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:28,433
Help teach that student to 
bring that voice out early.

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00:12:28,433 --> 00:12:29,766
And, you know, make it happen.

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00:12:30,333 --> 00:12:35,333
John had what we would 
consider STEM type interest.

233
00:12:35,333 --> 00:12:36,733
When he was a child.

234
00:12:36,733 --> 00:12:41,533
But there was really no outlet 
 or avenue for it here in.

235
00:12:41,533 --> 00:12:42,766
Middlesboro at the time.

236
00:12:42,766 --> 00:12:45,766
I went to school here at 
Middlesboro, a small town.

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00:12:45,766 --> 00:12:47,533
We're often in the 
corner of the state.

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Sometimes overlooked.

239
00:12:49,300 --> 00:12:52,500
We have a wealth 
of students.

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00:12:53,300 --> 00:12:55,233
That have lots of 
desires of their own.

241
00:12:55,233 --> 00:12:59,466
He wanted to be able to create 
outlets that they could pursue.

242
00:12:59,466 --> 00:13:01,400
And engage those interests.

243
00:13:01,966 --> 00:13:05,666
That they have much like he 
had when he was a child.

244
00:13:05,666 --> 00:13:07,366
Out of that desire to give back.

245
00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:10,633
He wanted to fund a STEM program

246
00:13:11,433 --> 00:13:14,466
Beyond the Crater was 
a slogan that Middlesboro.

247
00:13:14,466 --> 00:13:16,566
Created for itself 
as a community.

248
00:13:16,566 --> 00:13:20,133
To continue to drive that  
idea that we are not limited.

249
00:13:20,133 --> 00:13:23,566
Because we come from an 
area in the mountains.

250
00:13:24,066 --> 00:13:26,233
We have a lot of students 
who, unfortunately.

251
00:13:26,766 --> 00:13:29,100
They never get the 
opportunity to travel.

252
00:13:29,100 --> 00:13:30,800
Outside of our mountains.

253
00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:32,900
And we've taken 
various field trips.

254
00:13:32,900 --> 00:13:35,433
Where we've crossed 
33 bridge going.

255
00:13:35,866 --> 00:13:36,633
In close to Knoxville.

256
00:13:36,766 --> 00:13:38,566
And kids have asked, 
is this the ocean?

257
00:13:38,566 --> 00:13:42,566
It really puts in perspective 
the lack of exposure.

258
00:13:42,566 --> 00:13:43,733
That our kids have.

259
00:13:43,733 --> 00:13:47,200
So when we think about the 
term of Beyond the Crater.

260
00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:50,166
You know, for them, 
that's a huge deal.

261
00:13:50,166 --> 00:13:53,833
I wore a yellow jackets patch 
that was designed by students.

262
00:13:54,433 --> 00:13:55,733
You know, at the  
Middlesboro High School.

263
00:13:55,733 --> 00:13:57,433
And that represented 
the beginning.

264
00:13:57,433 --> 00:13:59,866
Of what we now are 
trying to develop.

265
00:13:59,866 --> 00:14:01,233
As the full STEM program.

266
00:14:01,733 --> 00:14:05,466
They have been ecstatic 
to see this emblem.

267
00:14:05,733 --> 00:14:08,833
Come through videos that, 
you know, NASA has shared.

268
00:14:08,833 --> 00:14:11,366
And the image itself has 
 been a rallying point.

269
00:14:11,366 --> 00:14:12,866
That our community has used.

270
00:14:12,866 --> 00:14:16,266
It's been on posters, it's 
been on business windows.

271
00:14:16,266 --> 00:14:20,100
It was so neat as John entered 
the space station itself.

272
00:14:20,100 --> 00:14:22,700
As they docked, and he 
entered for the first time.

273
00:14:23,133 --> 00:14:27,100
He rolled and his right 
shoulder came into view.

274
00:14:27,100 --> 00:14:28,433
And there was the patch.

275
00:14:28,766 --> 00:14:33,066
And I know that it just had to 
be such a surreal moment.

276
00:14:33,066 --> 00:14:36,133
For those three students 
that crafted the design.

277
00:14:36,433 --> 00:14:38,533
We have two students from  
the Middlesboro High School.

278
00:14:38,533 --> 00:14:42,033
That are part of an MIT  
program called Beaver Works.

279
00:14:42,733 --> 00:14:45,900
And I really believe what we've 
done there in those two examples

280
00:14:46,066 --> 00:14:48,966
Is we've changed the course 
of two lives already.

281
00:14:48,966 --> 00:14:50,466
At the very beginning 
of this program.

282
00:14:51,500 --> 00:14:54,966
There are a world of things 
behind the S-T-E-A-M.

283
00:14:55,700 --> 00:14:58,600
Whether it is a coal miner, 
whether it is an astronaut.

284
00:14:59,066 --> 00:15:01,233
Whether it's biology, 
medical things.

285
00:15:01,233 --> 00:15:04,233
Or research in any degree, 
engineering, development.

286
00:15:04,233 --> 00:15:07,466
Aerospace, someone says 
they don't feel like.

287
00:15:07,466 --> 00:15:10,433
They could do it because 
they come from any area.

288
00:15:10,900 --> 00:15:15,266
We've had so many comments 
of "That guy's from here?"

289
00:15:15,633 --> 00:15:18,100
A girl in the middle school 
during one of our first.

290
00:15:18,100 --> 00:15:19,066
Engagements said.

291
00:15:20,200 --> 00:15:22,000
If he can do that, 
then I can do that.

292
00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:23,366
That's what it's all about.

293
00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:27,800
Achieving something bigger  
than themselves is not limited.

294
00:15:27,933 --> 00:15:31,133
Because we come from an  
area here in the mountains.

295
00:15:31,566 --> 00:15:33,833
You know, don't 
consider any limitation.

296
00:15:34,100 --> 00:15:36,233
Because of geographic existence.

297
00:15:37,433 --> 00:15:39,566
The world is your horizon.

298
00:15:39,566 --> 00:15:41,066
You can go achieve that.

299
00:15:41,066 --> 00:15:42,833
Hope you enjoyed  
the ride to space.

300
00:15:42,833 --> 00:15:44,400
Have a great trip on Dragon.

301
00:15:45,833 --> 00:15:52,933
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

302
00:15:53,133 --> 00:15:58,500
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

303
00:15:58,900 --> 00:16:00,366
Well, we're having a 
great time here today.

304
00:16:00,366 --> 00:16:01,766
At the Kentucky Coal Museum.

305
00:16:01,766 --> 00:16:02,966
This is Amanda Hughes.

306
00:16:02,966 --> 00:16:04,833
She is the curator of the museum

307
00:16:04,833 --> 00:16:06,800
Amanda, thank you so much for 
letting us be here today.

308
00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:07,933
Thank you all for coming.

309
00:16:07,933 --> 00:16:09,966
Now, clearly, we're 
not in a coal part.

310
00:16:09,966 --> 00:16:11,700
Of the museum right now.

311
00:16:11,700 --> 00:16:14,533
But tell us about what 
this mocked up drug store is.

312
00:16:14,533 --> 00:16:15,833
Well, actually it's a diner.

313
00:16:15,833 --> 00:16:16,533
Okay.

314
00:16:16,533 --> 00:16:17,866
When the coal company shut down.

315
00:16:17,866 --> 00:16:19,733
There was a gentleman 
who purchased it.

316
00:16:19,933 --> 00:16:22,433
And he had built a 
building in his backyard.

317
00:16:22,433 --> 00:16:24,900
And had all of this on 
 display in a building.

318
00:16:24,966 --> 00:16:27,566
And so they would have their 
 get-togethers, reunions.

319
00:16:27,566 --> 00:16:28,366
Things like that there.

320
00:16:28,733 --> 00:16:30,066
Well, when he passed away.

321
00:16:30,500 --> 00:16:33,100
He'd requested his family to 
find a place to donate it to.

322
00:16:33,100 --> 00:16:35,500
And so they donated it to us.

323
00:16:35,500 --> 00:16:38,233
So this actually existed here 
in the town at some point.

324
00:16:38,233 --> 00:16:40,500
Well, this was actually 
in Leatherwood, but.

325
00:16:41,166 --> 00:16:42,333
The coal museum.

326
00:16:42,333 --> 00:16:44,833
Why is it important 
to have something here.

327
00:16:44,833 --> 00:16:47,300
Amanda, that really 
kind of celebrates.

328
00:16:47,300 --> 00:16:49,200
And tracks the history 
of coal in this region.

329
00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:49,833
Do you think?

330
00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:53,700
Well, I think it's important 
because it's unfortunately.

331
00:16:53,700 --> 00:16:54,833
Becoming a thing of the past.

332
00:16:55,533 --> 00:16:58,400
And so as you got  
more and more children.

333
00:16:58,400 --> 00:17:00,733
That grows up in the 
 area, they don't.

334
00:17:00,733 --> 00:17:03,900
Unless they have family that 
actually work in the mine.

335
00:17:03,900 --> 00:17:05,466
They really don't 
know what it means.

336
00:17:05,733 --> 00:17:08,866
And so in order to keep 
that tradition alive.

337
00:17:08,866 --> 00:17:10,000
And the history of it.

338
00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:12,033
I think it's important 
to have the museum.

339
00:17:12,033 --> 00:17:13,766
Or anything that documents that.

340
00:17:14,133 --> 00:17:16,333
And you talk about 
those family members.

341
00:17:16,333 --> 00:17:17,566
I was reading online.

342
00:17:17,566 --> 00:17:20,533
You all were talking about 
people whose grandparents.

343
00:17:20,533 --> 00:17:23,533
Or parents had maybe lived 
here in the coal camp.

344
00:17:23,533 --> 00:17:24,466
When that was a thing.

345
00:17:24,466 --> 00:17:26,700
Bringing the grandkids 
to kind of see.

346
00:17:26,700 --> 00:17:28,866
What the family used to do.

347
00:17:28,866 --> 00:17:32,066
That's gotta be fulfilling to 
you all to see those families.

348
00:17:32,066 --> 00:17:33,566
kind of passing that 
knowledge down.

349
00:17:33,566 --> 00:17:36,000
It is. Yes, we love it when 
people come in and like.

350
00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:37,866
Well, this is my grandchild 
and they live in so.

351
00:17:37,866 --> 00:17:40,433
And so, and so they don't know 
nothing about this place.

352
00:17:40,433 --> 00:17:41,633
Like wonderful.

353
00:17:41,633 --> 00:17:45,733
And this used to be the company 
 store and a lot of folks.

354
00:17:46,200 --> 00:17:46,966
Myself included.

355
00:17:47,500 --> 00:17:49,533
I had never really heard of the 
concept of the company store.

356
00:17:49,966 --> 00:17:52,233
Until that famous 16 Tons song.

357
00:17:52,500 --> 00:17:55,066
Where it talks about, owe your 
soul to the company store.

358
00:17:55,833 --> 00:17:57,666
How important was 
a company store.

359
00:17:57,666 --> 00:18:00,000
Like this to a community 
to be able to.

360
00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:02,533
To provide goods and services to 
the people who lived here?

361
00:18:02,933 --> 00:18:03,800
From my understanding.

362
00:18:03,933 --> 00:18:07,066
It was very important 
because back then up.

363
00:18:07,066 --> 00:18:09,266
Until like the '60s 
when they outlawed.

364
00:18:09,933 --> 00:18:11,400
You've been able to 
make your own money.

365
00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:12,566
They made scrip.

366
00:18:12,933 --> 00:18:14,833
And so the companies 
usually paid.

367
00:18:14,833 --> 00:18:16,666
Most of the workers in scrip.

368
00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:19,633
And so you could only use the 
scrip in the company store.

369
00:18:20,133 --> 00:18:22,966
You couldn't take it outside 
of that town and spend it.

370
00:18:23,233 --> 00:18:26,300
And so the commissary was real 
important to the people.

371
00:18:26,666 --> 00:18:29,966
Because they supplied everything 
their clothing, their food...

372
00:18:30,500 --> 00:18:31,366
Pharmacy and stuff...

373
00:18:32,266 --> 00:18:34,166
Drug stores, they had food.

374
00:18:34,733 --> 00:18:37,833
They even had like, 
for example, here.

375
00:18:37,833 --> 00:18:41,000
This one sold coffins  
downstairs in the basement.

376
00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:43,800
They had coffins on display 
and sold in the basement.

377
00:18:43,800 --> 00:18:45,600
But you had to work 
for the company.

378
00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:47,066
And use the scrip 
here in the store.

379
00:18:47,066 --> 00:18:47,866
Yes.

380
00:18:48,466 --> 00:18:50,400
So, wow. What's your favorite 
part of the museum?

381
00:18:50,933 --> 00:18:54,366
I would say probably 
the memorial exhibit.

382
00:18:54,366 --> 00:18:57,100
And so we have letters 
from trapped miners.

383
00:18:57,100 --> 00:19:00,000
That they had found like 
either etched on the wall.

384
00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:02,666
Or like on paper or 
something that they might.

385
00:19:02,666 --> 00:19:06,733
Have had on them sometime 
before they passed away.

386
00:19:06,733 --> 00:19:08,033
After being trapped.

387
00:19:08,033 --> 00:19:08,900
Wow.

388
00:19:08,900 --> 00:19:10,966
So that's probably 
my favorite part.

389
00:19:10,966 --> 00:19:12,166
That's gotta be 
powerful, I'm sure.

390
00:19:12,166 --> 00:19:13,166
That is really, yes, that's 
what I was gonna say.

391
00:19:13,166 --> 00:19:14,133
It's really heart touching.

392
00:19:14,133 --> 00:19:15,100
Final question.

393
00:19:15,100 --> 00:19:15,800
If somebody came here.

394
00:19:16,266 --> 00:19:18,333
What's the one thing you want 
them to walk away with?

395
00:19:18,333 --> 00:19:19,333
What's the one thing 
you would hope.

396
00:19:19,333 --> 00:19:21,266
That they'd take away 
from here, Amanda?

397
00:19:21,266 --> 00:19:25,733
I guess a better understanding 
of the coal heritage.

398
00:19:26,066 --> 00:19:26,800
And kind of what people.

399
00:19:27,266 --> 00:19:28,966
What it was like for people 
when they used to live here.

400
00:19:28,966 --> 00:19:30,033
And how that all came together.

401
00:19:30,033 --> 00:19:30,500
Yes.

402
00:19:31,266 --> 00:19:33,133
Again, Amanda Hughes, curator 
of the Kentucky Coal Museum.

403
00:19:33,133 --> 00:19:34,500
Thanks for letting us 
explore around today.

404
00:19:34,500 --> 00:19:35,333
Thank you all.

405
00:19:35,466 --> 00:19:38,666
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

406
00:19:39,400 --> 00:19:42,833
There are approximately 
18 million pit bulls.

407
00:19:42,833 --> 00:19:43,800
In the United States.

408
00:19:44,333 --> 00:19:46,733
They're the number one most 
prevalent breed of dog.

409
00:19:46,733 --> 00:19:47,366
In the country.

410
00:19:47,900 --> 00:19:51,033
But more than half of them 
are up for sale or adoption.

411
00:19:51,033 --> 00:19:54,233
With pit bulls filling shelters 
throughout the nation.

412
00:19:54,666 --> 00:19:56,466
And that's no different 
here in Kentucky.

413
00:19:57,000 --> 00:19:58,966
A trip to any local 
humane society.

414
00:19:58,966 --> 00:20:02,433
Reveals an abundance of pit 
bulls and bully breeds.

415
00:20:02,966 --> 00:20:05,166
Here's how this situation 
has developed.

416
00:20:05,500 --> 00:20:08,566
And the negative stigma that 
often keeps these dogs.

417
00:20:08,566 --> 00:20:09,700
Without a home.

418
00:20:10,766 --> 00:20:11,900
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

419
00:20:12,300 --> 00:20:14,566
Cheering.

420
00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:18,266
Some defining characteristics 
of a bully breed.

421
00:20:18,266 --> 00:20:21,366
Or a pit bull type dog 
is a square head.

422
00:20:22,233 --> 00:20:23,833
Usually pretty big head.

423
00:20:24,433 --> 00:20:28,166
They can be anywhere from 
like 30 to over 100 pounds.

424
00:20:28,666 --> 00:20:30,466
Because there's so many 
different breeds.

425
00:20:30,466 --> 00:20:33,200
That get kind of clumped 
into the category.

426
00:20:34,066 --> 00:20:37,766
Typically, they have short coats 
and they really love to snuggle.

427
00:20:38,733 --> 00:20:41,166
In our experience, pit 
bulls and bully breeds.

428
00:20:41,166 --> 00:20:43,866
Are one of the most common 
breeds surrendered to shelters.

429
00:20:43,866 --> 00:20:46,400
And also one of the breeds 
that take the longest.

430
00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:47,633
To be chosen by adopters.

431
00:20:47,966 --> 00:20:49,800
We've seen a lot of bully 
breeds come and go.

432
00:20:49,800 --> 00:20:51,700
Through our doors at 
Woodford Humane Society.

433
00:20:51,700 --> 00:20:54,000
This is a place 
where they are safe.

434
00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:55,200
We don't have any time limits.

435
00:20:55,200 --> 00:20:56,700
Or breed limits or 
anything like that.

436
00:20:56,700 --> 00:20:58,900
So they have a safe place 
here as long as it takes.

437
00:20:59,200 --> 00:21:00,533
But it is a little 
bit heartbreaking.

438
00:21:00,533 --> 00:21:04,800
To see some really great dogs 
who wait as long as, you know.

439
00:21:04,800 --> 00:21:06,833
As much as four years 
to find a great home.

440
00:21:06,833 --> 00:21:09,733
The most common breed of dog 
that we see here at LHS.

441
00:21:09,733 --> 00:21:11,200
Would be a pit bull type dog.

442
00:21:11,466 --> 00:21:14,300
And it's really hard to 
classify it as a strict pit bull

443
00:21:14,300 --> 00:21:16,766
Because we don't do DNA testing 
and we just look at them.

444
00:21:16,766 --> 00:21:18,233
And name them based 
on what they look like.

445
00:21:18,500 --> 00:21:20,233
So I would say it would 
be a pit bull type.

446
00:21:20,233 --> 00:21:23,466
And there's a lot of breeds that 
fall under the umbrella of that.

447
00:21:23,466 --> 00:21:26,666
The Staffordshire, bulldogs, 
a pit bull terrier.

448
00:21:27,466 --> 00:21:29,933
So it's really hard to say for 
sure if they are a true pit bull

449
00:21:29,933 --> 00:21:32,733
So when we label them, 
it is just a type of dog.

450
00:21:32,733 --> 00:21:35,900
People have this 
perception of pit bulls.

451
00:21:35,900 --> 00:21:38,366
In particular but bully 
breeds in general because.

452
00:21:38,366 --> 00:21:41,366
Honestly, people have a hard 
time telling what's a pit bull.

453
00:21:41,366 --> 00:21:46,233
And what's not, as being 
dogs that are aggressive.

454
00:21:46,233 --> 00:21:48,133
With other animals or aggressive

455
00:21:48,133 --> 00:21:51,000
With people or unpredictable 
or unsafe.

456
00:21:51,666 --> 00:21:56,166
A lot of that stems 
from the '80s, basically.

457
00:21:56,166 --> 00:21:59,133
When pit bulls became the breed 
of choice for dog fighting.

458
00:21:59,700 --> 00:22:02,033
And that perception 
unfortunately has just really.

459
00:22:02,033 --> 00:22:02,733
stuck with them.

460
00:22:03,033 --> 00:22:05,466
Even though like any other dog.

461
00:22:05,466 --> 00:22:09,533
Most of them are perfectly 
friendly, well-adjusted dogs.

462
00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:16,133
So some of the misconceptions 
when it comes to dogs.

463
00:22:16,133 --> 00:22:18,266
And dog behavior 
is that excitement.

464
00:22:18,266 --> 00:22:21,266
And anxiety are two things 
that go hand in hand.

465
00:22:21,800 --> 00:22:23,333
So while most people 
come to the door.

466
00:22:23,733 --> 00:22:25,900
And they think that their 
 dog jumping on them.

467
00:22:25,900 --> 00:22:28,266
And wagging their tails and 
stuff is like them excited.

468
00:22:28,266 --> 00:22:28,933
To be home.

469
00:22:28,933 --> 00:22:30,366
A dog is just anxious.

470
00:22:30,833 --> 00:22:34,266
They're looking 
for leadership.

471
00:22:34,733 --> 00:22:36,166
Dogs are pack animals.

472
00:22:36,533 --> 00:22:39,500
They need leadership 
and that's just instinctual.

473
00:22:39,500 --> 00:22:41,033
That's not because, you know.

474
00:22:41,033 --> 00:22:43,700
Of wherever they came from or 
what they're doing now.

475
00:22:44,066 --> 00:22:45,833
Like they're an animal 
and that's what they need.

476
00:22:45,833 --> 00:22:46,866
Because they're pack animals.

477
00:22:47,100 --> 00:22:50,533
So we start with 
employing leadership.

478
00:22:50,900 --> 00:22:54,933
What that looks like is that 
a dog has a safe space to be.

479
00:22:55,533 --> 00:22:56,600
Like a crate.

480
00:22:57,566 --> 00:22:59,600
Because a lot of times 
you'll bring a dog home.

481
00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:00,000
And you're like.

482
00:23:00,466 --> 00:23:01,466
Why is the dog hiding 
under my bed.

483
00:23:01,466 --> 00:23:03,366
Or why is the dog 
burrowing in my closet?

484
00:23:03,366 --> 00:23:04,500
And it's because 
they're denning.

485
00:23:04,500 --> 00:23:06,733
It's because they're looking 
for a safe place to be.

486
00:23:07,233 --> 00:23:08,766
And when a dog 
is in a crate.

487
00:23:08,766 --> 00:23:10,200
They don't have to 
make decisions.

488
00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:12,133
They don't have to worry about 
about what they're doing next.

489
00:23:12,133 --> 00:23:14,566
They don't have to worry about 
what they smell over here,

490
00:23:14,566 --> 00:23:16,066
And if they need 
to investigate that.

491
00:23:16,400 --> 00:23:18,533
They're completely zen. 
It's like their float tank.

492
00:23:18,866 --> 00:23:20,466
There's a lot of stereotypes.

493
00:23:20,466 --> 00:23:21,766
That we don't really 
like to focus on them.

494
00:23:21,766 --> 00:23:23,966
Because we want people to 
see them in a positive light.

495
00:23:23,966 --> 00:23:26,966
But people do discriminate 
and think they're too big.

496
00:23:26,966 --> 00:23:27,966
They can't be around kids.

497
00:23:27,966 --> 00:23:29,066
Because they'll knock them down.

498
00:23:29,066 --> 00:23:31,000
They're strong, they can bite.

499
00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:32,866
You know, anything 
with teeth can bite.

500
00:23:32,866 --> 00:23:34,800
Whether it's a dog 
or a cat or even a pig.

501
00:23:35,133 --> 00:23:38,466
All dogs are capable of having 
a bite or biting someone.

502
00:23:38,966 --> 00:23:40,900
And it's just that because 
they are stronger and larger.

503
00:23:41,300 --> 00:23:42,966
Unfortunately, the 
results of that bite.

504
00:23:42,966 --> 00:23:44,866
Can be more devastating than 
something coming from.

505
00:23:44,866 --> 00:23:46,200
A chihuahua or a yorkie.

506
00:23:46,466 --> 00:23:48,100
So we just want 
to encourage people,

507
00:23:48,100 --> 00:23:49,566
When they choose to adopt them.

508
00:23:49,566 --> 00:23:50,600
Or add them to their family.

509
00:23:50,700 --> 00:23:53,633
To make sure they have 
proper training, socialize them.

510
00:23:53,633 --> 00:23:55,366
Provide enrichment, exercise.

511
00:23:55,566 --> 00:23:58,566
And with all dogs, supervise 
them at all times,

512
00:23:58,566 --> 00:24:00,466
When they're around children 
or even other dogs.

513
00:24:00,466 --> 00:24:01,700
Or other smaller animals.

514
00:24:02,500 --> 00:24:06,600
There are some fighting 
lines and aggression.

515
00:24:06,600 --> 00:24:07,833
That is bred into dogs.

516
00:24:08,566 --> 00:24:10,700
And that's not exclusive 
to pit bull type dogs.

517
00:24:11,300 --> 00:24:13,166
You know, there are 
aggressive German shepherds.

518
00:24:13,166 --> 00:24:14,233
There are aggressive mastiffs.

519
00:24:14,233 --> 00:24:16,800
There is aggression 
bred into a lot of dogs.

520
00:24:17,566 --> 00:24:18,833
So when we get aggressive dogs.

521
00:24:18,833 --> 00:24:21,500
We do extensive 
behavior evaluations.

522
00:24:21,500 --> 00:24:23,100
Because of our training program.

523
00:24:23,100 --> 00:24:27,000
Our dogs are in foster homes for 
longer and we also do tests.

524
00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:29,366
With the dog at the shelters 
before we pull them.

525
00:24:29,366 --> 00:24:31,466
So rarely does an incident 
happen, but when it does happen.

526
00:24:31,466 --> 00:24:34,533
We have to take it 
really seriously.

527
00:24:34,533 --> 00:24:38,000
And nobody gets into the 
business of animal rescue.

528
00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:41,200
Or animal welfare 
to put dogs down.

529
00:24:41,200 --> 00:24:44,133
But you do it because you 
have to, you know.

530
00:24:44,133 --> 00:24:48,600
Because an aggressive dog in 
somebody's home or a dog that's.

531
00:24:48,600 --> 00:24:52,000
You know, that's a liability 
in somebody's home.

532
00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:54,100
There's another 
dog that's not.

533
00:24:54,100 --> 00:24:57,266
That's gonna get killed in a 
shelter just because of numbers.

534
00:24:57,933 --> 00:25:00,433
So we have to be really careful 
and intentional about that.

535
00:25:01,133 --> 00:25:02,500
At the end of the day.

536
00:25:02,500 --> 00:25:04,766
What we would love for 
people to do is to walk.

537
00:25:04,766 --> 00:25:06,433
Into a shelter with an open mind

538
00:25:07,166 --> 00:25:12,400
Try to be aware of what you 
have heard before and say.

539
00:25:12,400 --> 00:25:15,233
I'm not going to take 
this at face value.

540
00:25:15,233 --> 00:25:19,900
I'm going to give these dogs a 
chance to show me who they are.

541
00:25:19,900 --> 00:25:21,633
Because that's the more 
important thing.

542
00:25:21,633 --> 00:25:24,166
Not the breed of the dog but 
the personality of the dog.

543
00:25:24,166 --> 00:25:26,766
and whether it's a good fit 
for you and your life.

544
00:25:26,766 --> 00:25:27,966
And your home.

545
00:25:33,033 --> 00:25:35,066
We've really enjoyed our 
day here in Benham.

546
00:25:35,066 --> 00:25:37,000
At the Kentucky Coal Museum.

547
00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:39,633
Now, this really is a 
must see for anybody.

548
00:25:39,633 --> 00:25:41,966
Who wants to learn more 
about how coal mining.

549
00:25:41,966 --> 00:25:44,633
Shaped Eastern Kentucky and  
the Commonwealth in general.

550
00:25:44,633 --> 00:25:47,866
And it's a reminder of the 
hardscrabble life faced.

551
00:25:47,866 --> 00:25:50,433
By many here more 
than 100 years ago.

552
00:25:50,833 --> 00:25:53,133
For more information about 
the Kentucky Coal Museum.

553
00:25:53,566 --> 00:25:56,800
Be sure to like the  
Kentucky Life Facebook page.

554
00:25:56,800 --> 00:25:59,466
Or subscribe to the 
KET YouTube channel.

555
00:25:59,466 --> 00:26:01,500
For more Kentucky Life Extras.

556
00:26:01,500 --> 00:26:04,033
Where you'll learn more 
about this amazing facility.

557
00:26:04,300 --> 00:26:06,700
And have access to lots 
of other great videos.

558
00:26:06,700 --> 00:26:09,166
Until next time, I'll leave 
you with this moment.

559
00:26:09,633 --> 00:26:14,166
I'm Chip Polston, cherishing 
this Kentucky life.

560
00:26:15,600 --> 00:26:20,866
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

561
00:26:20,866 --> 00:26:30,833
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪