story by Randi Bildner

Professional dog trainer Butch Cappel speaks with warmth, love and pride, when he refers to the 24 rescue dogs that live at his boarding and training facility in Burleson, Texas.

Ten of these dogs are Best Friends Katrina rescues. Cappel, who is part of Best Friends Animal Society’s Training Partners Program, is a natural to work with dogs that need a bit more training than most. His sweet demeanor and sense of ease is evident when he speaks about his dogs; describing his work as “easy and fun.”

Cappel joined the Training Partner's program several months ago. His "partners" in the program consist of a combination of breeds including six Pit Bulls, a Boxer mix, a Golden Retriever mix and a variety of Rottweiler mixes.

Cappel notes that since the dogs became part of his life they have shown considerable progress, pointing out that they appear calmer and are definitely more sociable.

The only difficulty Butch Cappel and his wife, Denise, have encountered has been related to what the dogs should be called.

The Cappels have very different ideas when it comes to dog names. Butch opting for the practical - prefers names like Red, Stripe and Brindle, stating that he likes to use names that help him identify the dogs. Denise, (described by her husband as the designated pack leader) tends to lean toward names that “fit their personalities.” For example, Denise named one of the dogs Charlene. Charlene likes to wrap herself in a blanket and simply “seems like a Charlene,” according to Denise. “Charlene is very serious about her blanket and must have it with her at all times, even when the weather is 100 degrees.” Cappel refers to Charlene as MC (master of ceremonies,) stating, “She just likes to come up to you and tell you everything that is going on.”

Another dog, a brindle Pit Bull referred to as Kick Back or KB by Cappel, is called Cutie Pie by Denise. Cappel considers this dog to be very relaxed and says that he is “a kick back type of dog.” Denise makes no bones about it; saying “this dog is cute,” so she refers to him as Cutie Pie.

Then there’s Streak, that’s Cappel’s name for the dog; he has no idea what Denise calls Streak, so for now, he’s just Streak.

Cappel was very excited to offer the good news about Nino, a Boxer mix. Nino has been picked out by a young newlywed couple from Arlington TX, who just bought a brand new home and have been looking for a brand new dog to add to their household. Things are looking good for Nino who Cappel says, “is a cool dude who loves everyone.” The Cappels are happy to report that a few of the other dogs have been looked at and their situations are pending.

Butch Cappel has been rescuing and training dogs for decades. His last two work partners were rescue dogs who worked alongside him at the private security company he formally owned.

He has a true appreciation for what his dogs have gone through, “it just seems that dogs that go through traumatic circumstances are much more receptive and are more appreciative, they just seem to know.”

Butch Cappel is a wonderful addition to Best Friends Training Partners Program. He and his wife Denise are a breathe of fresh air, they are good people who improve the lives of the six Pit Bulls and four mixed breeds in their care—no matter what their names are.