Founded by former Chicago Blackhawks and current Carolina Hurricanes left winger, Bryan Bickell and his wife Amanda; the Bryan & Amanda Bickell Foundation was born from the campaign, Chicago Loves Pits. With the help of Adopt-a-Pet.com, Chicago Loves Pits was an idea that turned into a reality. In 2012 Chicago Loves Pits launched its first campaign featuring two billboards located in prominent areas of Chicago that bore the headline: Bryan Bickell is the only fighter in this family. Since the campaign, the realization came about that not only do "pit bulls" need our help, so do children in need that can benefit from seeing and learning about the resilience of "pit bulls". 

 

The Bickell's love of "pit bulls" began when they came across a 5-week- old puppy in need. The puppy's owner was a crack addict whose dog had puppies. The owner took the puppies from their mother at an extremely young age. The puppy was trying to feed off a different mother dog, and her tail was cut off with scissors. The owner bragged about both of these things. Bryan & Amanda offered the owner $50 for the puppy and he literally grabbed the money and threw the puppy at Amanda.

 

The pup was now safe and named Bailey. The Bickells brought Bailey to the vet where they were surprised and pleased to hear that she was healthy and her tail would heal with care and antibiotics. About a month after saving their precious puppy, The Bickell's hometown of Ontario, Canada enacted a ban against any dog resembling a "pit bull". Within a week Bryan & Amanda were no longer allowed at dog parks, puppy classes, or to take their puppy for a walk unless it was muzzled. People would cross the street afraid that their 10 pound, sweet as could be, little puppy would attack. Animal Care and Control was called on the Bickells almost every two weeks because someone in the neighborhood would call in "fear of their life". Bryan and Amanda couldn't understand it. How were they supposed  to socialize their new puppy who had been abused and now deserved lots of love and care in her new life? Life in Ontario became very difficult for Bryan & Amanda simply because they owned a "pit bull". But their puppy was family and they'd never give up on her.

 

After living in Chicago Bryan and Amanda heard that the city was thinking of banning "pit bulls". Fearing what might happen, they knew they had to share the truth and help "pit bulls" in Chicago. Bailey has also been instrumental in the Bickell's lives as a dog who heals others. As the Bickells have seen members of their family suffer from child abuse and bullying they knew they wanted to not only help out their loyal furry friends but abused children as well. From that moment, the Bryan & Amanda Bickell Foundation  was born and programs are taking shape in order to fulfill it's vital mission in helping those who often cannot help themselves.