We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Megan Covington. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. Megan below.
Dr. Megan, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
From my gender, gender expression, race, sex, or sexual identity, being “the only” one in the room that looks like me has been a common experience for me since I was child. I’ve learned to be effective/ successful when I’m the only one in the room that looks like me by remembering that I’m in the room because I deserve to be there and focusing more on the gift that comes with knowing that no one in this room (or anywhere) has had the experiences I have which shape the unique perspective that I’m able to contribute to that room. I also think about the impact that could come from me serving as a voice for those in my community who need my voice and presence represented in “the room” and who would not have the same opportunity to be there themselves. Lastly, my responsibility when I make it into a room where I’m the “only one” is to open the door and hold it open for other people like me to not only be permitted into the room but to be able to exist there freely and safely and to thrive; to me, having the opportunity to live out that responsibility is liberating.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a researcher, thought leader, consultant, and public scholar.
Through my business The Pit Bull Doctor (formerly known as Atlanta Pit Bull Training), I educate the public, especially pit bull and bully breed owners on responsible dog ownership, dispelling myths about pit bulls for the purpose of fighting against breed specific legislation policies and breed discrimination.
I consult with businesses, organizations, and corporations on amending their policies regarding service dog laws and rights to comply with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and avoid hefty fines and lawsuits . I also advise companies regarding their policies around safely and properly interacting with pit bulls and other powerful breeds without discriminating or violating people’s rights.
What is most powerful about the work that I do is the ways that my personal experiences have guided me and help me to excel in it. I didn’t plan to enter the world of human and animal well-being in this way after receiving my PhD in Higher Education; however, after I decided to get a pit bull type dog who I named Justice, the injustices in housing, public access, and general human rights became so apparent to me in my personal life that I dedicated my professional life to changing them. I enjoy being able to make impact through directly working with pit bull and bully breed owners and introducing them to new perspectives and tools that help them to live more harmoniously and joyfully with their dogs. Our relationships with dogs are spiritual and transformative and I want everyone to have the experience of having a healthy mutually beneficial bond with their animals.
We have quite a few service and product launches and updates coming this summer and into the fall. We have expanded our service location to be able to offer pit bull behavior consultations outside of just the Atlanta metro area to assist pit bull parents/owners struggling with reactivity or seeking to communicate more effectively with their dogs nationwide. We have also updated our services to focus less on traditional-style training programs and more on pit bull parent/owner advocacy for people experiencing discrimination in securing housing through offering landlord, HOA, and home insurance advocacy letters and strategy consultations.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities that were most impactful in my journey have been my self-confidence, my ability to pivot easily, and my intuition. I believe that each of these work in tandem and inform each other. My advice for people early in their journey is to spend a lot of time getting to know themselves and specifically learning what your core beliefs are, what you will do when you experience misalignment with those core beliefs, and deciding what you feel you deserve and what you will do if you find yourself in a situation where you are receiving less than you deserve. As you learn those things about yourself, you’ll develop a level of self worth and intuition which will give you the cues you need to know when and where to pivot, which will lead you where you need to be.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Pit bull type dogs (pit bulls) are one of the most controversial dog breeds in the nation. Everyone, regardless of their walk of life has an opinion about them and either loves them or hates them. For most people, regardless of whether they love or hate pit bulls, they hold incorrect beliefs about them. Some deem them naturally aggressive, vicious, and dangerous, and believe no one should be able to own them as pets. Others believe “it’s all how you raise them,” and fail to acknowledge the role of genetics, training, socialization, and leadership to raise them as well behaved pets. At the systemic level, breed specific laws have historically been used to disenfranchise communities of color who are more likely to own pit bulls as pets through breed specific legislation, breed restrictions, and breed discrimination. As a public scholar and educator, my biggest challenge is breaking through the discourse to teach the masses accurate information about pit bulls behavior and traits and how to become the strong leader and responsible owners pit bulls need.
I’m currently in the process of writing a series of books and developing courses that raise awareness about the truths about pit bull type dogs and the role of responsible ownership in addressing the problems that impact pit bull type dogs, their families, and public safety. I’m also seeking larger scale consulting opportunities to have a stronger impact on the widely held beliefs that shape policies and practices in multiple avenues, namely housing and public access.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.atlpitbulltraining.com; www.megan-covington.com
- Instagram: @thepitbulldoctor
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megancovington/
- Other: Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/thepitbulldoctor
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.