National Geographic Channel goes inside Dogtown

photo credit: Emery_Way

In this country alone, between 3 and 4 million unwanted pets are euthanized every year. But there is one place where man’s best friend always has hope: Dogtown. One of the largest no-kill animal facilities in the country, Dogtown is located on 33,000 acres of Southern Utah canyon country. The sanctuary — run by the Best Friends Animal Society — hosts hundreds of dogs from all around the country, along with cats, horses, rabbits, goats and various other farm animals — about 1,500 animals at any one time. For the lost canine souls that find shelter at this home in one of 12 lodging facilities, a staff of over 60 oversees their every need — including medical attention, training and rehabilitation — with the eventual hope of finding these dogs a new, loving home. Dogtown is often the last hope for dogs requiring specialized or urgent medical attention or for abused and neglected animals.

Premiering Friday, January 4, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, each episode of National Geographic Channel's (NGC) new series Dogtown takes viewers on a journey inside the bustling grounds to meet the dogs and the skilled professional team dedicated to ensuring that even the toughest cases survive. On the front lines is a dedicated team of experts, including medical director Dr. Mike Dix; veterinarian Dr. Patti Iampietro; animal behavior consultant Sherry Woodard; trainer John Garcia; head vet tech Jeffrey Popowich; Dogtown manager Michelle Besmehn; and handler Thomas Foyles.

Working from a state-of-the-art clinic, the highly trained staff provides medical care otherwise not accessible to typical veterinarians or pet owners. This expert team of caregivers has a single mission — to transform hopeless dogs into loving pets. When it comes to treating sick animals, Dogtown's policy is to do everything possible once a dog is accepted for treatment.

Abuse or neglect has turned some of these dogs into aggressive animals, some even with a history of violence, and their trip to Dogtown is their last chance for a better life. As many of the canine residents have been abandoned or rescued, the facility's dog trainers also deal with severe behavioral issues and dogs with extreme fear of humans. Dogtown's staff strives to help the most disturbed pooches learn to interact socially with other animals and humans.
Premiere episodes include:
DOGTOWN: Crisis Dogs
Friday, January 4, at 9 PM ET/PT

A puppy mill — a facility that mass breeds dogs — is raided by Nebraska state authorities. Over a hundred and seventy dogs are found in terrible conditions. Dogtown arranges an emergency flight for trainer Sherry Woodard to bring back some of the most traumatized dogs. Among them is a terrier mix she names Animal, who’s been driven to the brink of madness. Meanwhile, Dogtown’s head veterinarian Dr. Mike Dix faces a baffling medical mystery: a gentle male dog named Porto suffering from an undiagnosed illness. If Porto’s ever going to find a home, his condition has to be diagnosed and treated. And two sibling hounds — Remington and Ruger — have been rescued from a polygamist sect where unwanted dogs are often shot. They’re safe in Dogtown, but to have any hope of adoption, they have to be split up. Trainer John Garcia has the difficult job of separating two dogs that have never lived apart.

DOGTOWN: Second Chances
Friday, January 11, at 9 PM ET/PT

An older chow named Bruno heads to Dogtown for much-needed medical attention. His extensive ailments include a sunken eye and balance problems — symptoms indicative of a possible brain tumor. Veterinarian Mike Dix and his staff do all they can for him, but will it be too late for Bruno? The staff faces a decision every family dreads — when is it time to let a beloved animal go? Meanwhile, Dogtown heads out on a rescue mission to a local Indian reservation. As the midday sun beats down on them, Dogtown manager Michelle Besmehn and other staff members search a garbage dump, hoping to save any abandoned dogs. Hiding among the trash the team finds two scared puppies on the brink of dehydration. Back at the sanctuary, Sherry Woodard fosters 1-year-old Annie, a behaviorally challenged dog with a serious history of biting an infant. Annie’s next challenge will bring her face-to-face with one of her biggest fears — a 2-year-old child.

DOGTOWN: The Outsiders
Friday, January 18, at 9 PM ET/PT

A 1-year-old bulldog named Wiggles arrives at Dogtown from a California shelter with unusual symptoms: he falls frequently and can’t control his bowels. Head veterinarian Mike Dix must determine if Wiggles’ condition is life threatening, or if he’s stable enough to live in a home. Trainer Pat Whitacre faces a different kind of challenge: to transform spaniel-mix Jolene from a painfully shy, fearful dog into a happy, friendly one. Step by step, Pat attempts to socialize Jolene so she has a chance at adoption. Zoey, a rotweiller/hound mix, suffers from crippling allergies to the environment and to humans. Her family in New York State had tried everything, but no allergy medication worked. At Dogtown, Dr. Mike Dix works on a new plan of attack. As a caregiver at Dogtown, Thomas Foyles feels a connection with the most aggressive dogs, like Bones, a vizsla street dog who was rescued and brought to Dogtown 11 years ago. When he arrived, Bones was known for attacking other dogs, but in the last few years he has mellowed. Now, Thomas believes Bones could live in a home for his last few years. So Bones will undergo an official assessment to see if his violent tendencies are truly gone.

Dogtown is produced by National Geographic Television for the National Geographic Channel. For National Geographic Television executive producer is Kim Woodard, series producer/writer is Darcy Dennett and editor is Cabot Philbrick. For the National Geographic Channel, executive producer is Chris Valentini and senior vice president, production and development is Juliet Blake. Executive vice president of content is Steve Burns.

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