Armando from Pit Bulls and Parolees moved to New Mexico and now works for Hot Box 505, while keeping his fans updated on social media.
The relationships that form between the parolees and rescue dogs at the Villalobos Rescue Center is one of the main draws of the Pit Bulls and Parolees show.
However, many of the parolees who are featured on the show, including Armando Galindo, eventually move on with their lives and away from the rescue center after their parole ends.
Why Pit Bulls and Parolees works so well
Pit Bulls and Parolees has been featuring the work that owner Tia Torres and the rest of the Villalobos Rescue Center does in order to save and re-home pit bulls and other stray dogs all around Louisiana and other parts of the country.
However, part of what makes the rescue center so unique, is that it has been providing a place for parolees to live and work since 2006, even before the show started.
Over the years, many of the parolees who have been featured in the show have spoken out about how much their work at the rescue center has changed their lives and Tia herself has admitted that “The dogs bring out the best in these guys.”
Seeing how the parolees change during their time at the rescue center is part of why fans love to watch the show to this day.
What happened to Armando from Pit Bulls and Parolees?
Armando Galindo is one such parolee, who has been very open about how his work at the Villalobos Rescue Center and his subsequent appearance on Pit Bulls and Parolees changed the trajectory of his life.
Like many of the other parolees who are featured on the show, Armando “Mando” Galindo, found himself dejected after he had just earned his parole in 2008.
Armando quickly came to the realization that getting out of prison was only half the battle and he struggled to find steady work as a 39-year-old ex-con.
Fortunately, Tia saw something in Armando and accepted his application to work at the rescue center. It did not take long after that for Armand to gain a reputation for being a sort-of “dog whisperer” on the show, which also made him a fan-favorite.
However, Tia stated in a Facebook update which was posted on January 7, 2018, that Armando had moved back to New Mexico.
Tia did not elaborate on the details of Armando’s decision, but from his posts on his various social media pages, it seems like Armando is living a content life in New Mexico, where he works and travels for Hot Box 505 and seemingly gets to spend a lot of time with his children.
Why did Armando join the Villalobos Rescue Center in the first place?
Armando initially heard about Tia and her work at the rescue center at a job fair for parolees and only applied for the role, because he had “given up hope” that he would be able to find a job.
Tia later explained to Armando that what she likes about his interview was that he made no excuses for his former life.
Though Armando’s first jobs at the rescue center ranged from picking up poop to learning how to train abused and neglected dogs, he has said that just getting the job and knowing that he had value was enough to motivate him.
Is Armando still working with animals?
Armando is no longer working with dogs or other animals on a daily basis, but he has a variety of pets in his home.
The company which he works for, Hot Box 505 also often hosts events where funds are donated to animal shelters in the Rio Rancho area, like the Pawsitive Life rescue, which was featured in a 2022 Bingo Night event hosted by Hot Box 505 and Boxing Bear.
Recent updates from Armando’s social media pages
Armando may not be part of Pit Bulls and Parolees any more, but he still posts regular updates about his daily life to his various social media pages.
Most of Armando’s posts on his Instagram and Facebook pages involve Hot Box 505 or his love for fancy cigars, but he balances this content with general updates about his life and what he has been up to.
In fact, a recent post from March 4, 2023 revealed that Armando had been at the Sandia Casino in Albuquerque for the National Fiery Foods and Barbeque Show, but the post just before that simply featured a photo of a scenic road and Armando’s inner musings that he was “feeling accomplished”.
