PRESS ESC TO CLOSE
 

Rare Hermaphrodite Dog May Become Therapy Animal to Transgender Community

Share
A hermaphrodite dog laying in a hospital bed.

Detroit animal rescuers recently took in a very unusual dog: a hermaphrodite pit bull mix.

Named Cody, the dog arrived at the city’s animal control facility and was originally thought to be a male. But upon further inspection, staff realized the dog had both sex organs.

“You can actually see the vulva and the formation of what are really small testicles,” Kristina Rinaldi, executive director of Detroit Dog Rescue, the organization that took in Cody, told CBS. She added, “It is very, very rare. I haven’t seen it in my rescue career.”

Related: Therapy Dog Comforts Mourners at Funeral Homes

It is yet to be determined how the dog came to the Detroit Animal Control shelter but what is known is Cody is ailing, showing signs of distemper and is underweight.

Cody

The organization plans on nursing the “very sweet, very loving” dog back to health, get the pup neutered and help find her or him a forever home.

Detroit Dog Rescue is also toying with the idea of having Cody be a therapy dog for teens in the transgender community.

They’re also considering turning Cody into a kind of therapy dog for transgender young people.

Related: Therapy Dog and Rat Have Quite the Special Friendship

“We also may want to use Cody to talk to teens who maybe are going through the same things, we want to reach out to Affirmations in Ferndale and maybe we can use Cody as an example that there’s nothing wrong with you, it’s not strange, it happens to the best animals and the best people … Maybe Cody can help some other people deal with some feelings they may be dealing with,” Rinaldi told the outlet.

H/T CBS

Image via Detroit Dog Rescue

By Andrea Huspeni

Andrea Huspeni is the founder and CEO of This Dog's Life. Her mission it to help dogs live a happier, healthier and longer life. When she isn't working, she spends time with her two dogs, Lola and Milo. She resides in Brooklyn, NY.

All You Need

Shop now
Loading component ...
How Often You Wash Your Dog's Bowl Can Impact Their Health

How Often You Wash Your Dog's Bowl Can Impact Their Health

What My Dog, My Zen Master, Taught Me About Life After My Mom's Passing

What My Dog, My Zen Master, Taught Me About Life After My Mom's Passing

Some of the Most Popular Valentine’s Day Flowers are Toxic to Dogs. Do you Know Which Ones to Avoid?

Some of the Most Popular Valentine’s Day Flowers are Toxic to Dogs. Do you Know Which Ones to Avoid?

What’s Going on With Your Senior Dog: Is it Behavioral or Medical?

What’s Going on With Your Senior Dog: Is it Behavioral or Medical?