‘God Has Something up His Sleeve’: Blind Rescue Pit Bull Changes Kids’ Lives at More Than 100 Schools
After losing both eyes, rescue pup River is teaching thousands of school children about empathy
Key Takeaways
- Bethany and Josh Van Meter adopted River after his eyes were removed due to infection.
- River has visited over 100 schools teach kids empathy and overcoming obstacles.
- Book sales sponsor for school therapy dog, Fervor, at a school in Cincinnati.
When Bethany Van Meter and her husband, Josh, adopted a blind pit bull, they were eager to help him have a better life. They soon discovered that not only was this special dog heaven-sent but his true mission was to inspire others to embrace their differences and see the good within.
Bethany Van Meter’s throat tightened as she stared at a photo of her friend’s sister’s foster dog. His name was River, and he was a stray pit bull who had just had both eyes surgically removed due to infection. She could sense his pain, yet something still radiated from him that touched her heart.
“Can we have him visit and see how it goes?” Bethany asked her husband, Josh, that day.
They were hesitant. A blind dog would be difficult to care for, but the two had been rescuing dogs and cats for over 20 years. It wouldn’t be foreign to them, and despite the reputation of pit bulls, Bethany loved the breed. The thought of welcoming River into their lives felt destined. Josh nodded his approval.
God has something up his sleeve, Bethany’s spirit whispered.
Love to the rescue
On February 27, 2021, while River was still recovering from his eye surgery, Bethany and Josh adopted him.
It was an adjustment at first, but they soon learned how intelligent River was. He used his other senses to navigate his world.
They walked River on a leash, both in the yard and in the house, to help him memorize the layout. Before long, he settled in, finding his own spot on the couch. Bethany fell more in love each day, smiling at his endearing ways.
Soon, she began taking River out and about to see how people would react to him. Many seemed skeptical about his breed and his blindness. But once they got to pet him and spend time with him, they were able to look past his appearance, and everything changed. They fell in love, too.
“You can teach people valuable lessons,” she said to River, petting his ears.
The idea lit a spark inside Bethany that began to burn even stronger.
A tail-wagging teacher
Excited, Bethany began posting on social media about River in the first person, as if he were writing it. People loved it so much that she wrote and published a children’s book called I See With My Heart, which became an instant hit.
Bethany also set up social media pages and a website, which prompted instant requests for River to come visit.
Wanting to teach kids acceptance early on, Bethany set up readings at schools where she could share River’s book and introduce him to students in hopes of planting seeds of kindness.
Bethany was amazed at the impact River had. Kids who had been scared of dogs felt comfortable petting River. One little boy came up and put his glasses on River, melting Bethany’s heart.
Each student embraced the message of River’s book, coming away more accepting and joyful.
Over the last three years, River has visited more than 100 schools and done more than 200 readings, not just near their Gallatin, Tennessee, home but across the country. A portion of sales and bookings goes toward paying for a therapy dog to work in schools to help students feel calmer and more confident.
Recently, they sponsored their first dog, Fervor, for the Academy of World Languages in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bethany has also written more children’s books about River and how God is using him.
“When I ask the kids what they can learn from River, their answers are overwhelming,” Bethany says. “They learn empathy, perseverance, not to judge a book by its cover and that we can be kind, do hard things and overcome obstacles. River is thriving because he is loved; it’s powerful.”
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