Jan. 22, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
By Tyler Feldman, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Pit bulls are often misunderstood. But, for junior forward Emily Laurenzi, that is not the case.
According to the American Kennel Club, there are more than 400 dog breeds worldwide. Based on a multitude of experiences, Laurenzi has decided to dedicate her life to protecting and rescuing the breed she is most zealous about, pit bulls.
"She just developed a real passion and affinity for [pit bulls], and it just spoke to her," said head coach Josh Brandwene. "Em has a heart of gold, and that's in everything that she does. The care and love she has for her teammates, and just the effort and commitment that she has put into the dog rescue does not surprise me in the least. It's who she is as a person."
Laurenzi's adoration for pit bulls began with Animal Planet's "Pit Bulls and Parolees" TV show. Episode after episode, her love for the breed grew exponentially. What the show did for Laurenzi was inspire her to want to rescue, as well.
The goal of the popular show is to raise awareness on a national level so that one day, caring people won't have to protect pit bulls.
So, on Pit Bull Awareness Day in 2013, Laurenzi met her match. She found the perfect pit bull to adopt.
She wanted to help this pit bull so badly that she even cried before a hockey game.
The Townsend, Del., native finally saved Gracie on November 3, which was about a week after the two first met.
"Gracie is good," said Laurenzi about her pit bull. "She's the nicest dog. Everybody on the team loves her. She comes to every game and wears a little Penn State jacket. She's like the mascot."
Following her first rescue, Laurenzi wanted to volunteer more, so she began to help out at the Delaware l Response-a-Bull Rescue, a place mostly for bully breeds.
Her care for pit bulls translates into a supportive teammate and friend. Being the warmhearted person that she is, her actions come as no surprise to those around her.
"[Laurenzi's pit bull work] has me speechless because it's so incredible," said teammate and roommate Jordin Pardoski. "Her passion for pit bulls...it's indescribable how much she cares about animals, especially that certain dog. She's always looking to help others out. She's one of the most selfless people I've ever met...and it shows on the ice."
Laurenzi's spare time is spent at home volunteering at Response-a-Bull Rescue. She provides a voice for a breed that so often receives a false impression.
"I would definitely call her a pit bull advocate," said Pardoski.
For right now, Laurenzi is focused on Nittany Lion hockey. However, following graduation she plans to start up her own shelter. Currently, she has a fund set up to save money to eventually start her own dog home.
"I want to have my own rescue one day," said Laurenzi. "I've already started a fund for myself. I don't have that much money in it, but every once in a while I put money in there. That's just a dream of mine to own my own one day."