Tia Torres | Gabriele Philipsen | TEDxPascoCountySchools

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Gabriele Philipsen talks about Tia Torres and second chances. She's a 4th grader from Centennial Elementary School.

Do you know who Tia Maria Torres is?

No?

Let me tell you a little bit about her.

Tia Torres started the largest
and most successful pit bull rescue

in the country.

According to animalplanet.com,

she started and built the largest rescue
that saves four-legged friends and people.

She saved over 1,000 dogs and cats.

She is a positive role model,

she served six years
in the Army as a truck driver.

Not only did she make a stand for animals
she also made a stand to help people.

She was a youth gang counselor
for the toughest gangs in LA.

She now owns and runs Villalobos Rescue
located in New Orleans.

She rescues all breeds of dogs and cats.

She is on Animal Planet.

Her TV show is called
"Pit Bulls & Parolees."

Her husband, an ex-con, was
her inspiration for hiring parolees.

A parolee is a person
who was released from prison.

They have a hard time finding a job.

She employs parolees, giving them
a second chance, as others did not.

According to tiatorres.org,

her mission is to educate people
and share her love for the animals.

She hopes to help people
make a difference.

She is a true hero to all
that need a second chance.

(Applause)