Michael Vick: A New Dog Would Help My Rehab

Michael Vick reached bottom three years ago when he entered federal prison to serve 21 months for his conviction on dog fighting charges.

In an interview with theGrio, Vick says his post-prison rehab is progressing well, and that owning a new dog would help in that process.

"I would love to get another dog in the future," Vick told theGrio. "I think it would be a big step for me in the rehabilitation process. I think just to have a pet in my household and to show people that I genuinely care, and my love, and my passion for animals."

As part of his work with the Humane Society, Vick said he has been going around speaking to kids about the evils of dogfighting.

"I think if I can help five or six kids daily, then I'm playing my position as a positive role model in our society," Vick said. "It doesn't hurt to do it and it's fairly easy. I tell a lot of people that it's easy to do the wrong thing. It's hard to do the right thing."

Since taking over the starting quarterback role for the Philadelphia Eagles, Vick has appeared countless times on television and in other media interviews in recent weeks talking about how prison changed him. One of his most revealing admissions has been just how important going to prison was for him.

"Without going to prison I would have never changed as an individual and as a person," Vick said. "And coming out of prison I was a totally different person."