INTERVIEW: Cesar Millan spotlights new canine project for veterans on ‘Dog Nation’
Cesar Millan answers the call of wild on the season finale of Dog Nation, his new show on Nat Geo WILD, which finds the TV personality heading out across the United States with his son, Andre, to find inspiring and interesting canine stories.
The season finale highlights the efforts of Congressman James McGovern from Massachusetts and Eliot Russman, CEO of Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. Their mission is to provide free guide dogs to blind veterans, and the Millan family are there to spotlight their cause.
The episode airs Friday, April 21 at 9 p.m. on Nat Geo WILD. Earlier this year, Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Millan about the new show. Readers can check out that story here. Recently, Hollywood Soapbox followed up with the pet master to talk about the season finale and his future plans. Questions and answers have been slightly edited.
What do you find so inspiring about the story of Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation?
It’s two things. First is that the group is recognizing and taking care of those people who have risked their lives to serve others by providing free guide dogs to blind military members, veterans, first responders and their immediate families. They are too often forgotten by society, so it’s wonderful to see a group doing something about that.
The second thing is that it is a powerful reminder of how much dogs can do for us. The German shepherds that Fidelco places literally become the eyes of their new owner, as we see in the episode with Don, who found new freedom once his dog took over, and he no longer had to rely entirely on a cane and his own senses. This is probably the greatest example of the bond of trust between humans and canines, and how we can rely on dogs completely when that bond exists.
Have you been happy with the episodes of Cesar Millan’s Dog Nation and how the season turned out?
I have been extremely happy. Starting out, we weren’t really sure what we were going to get because the format of the show is different than anything I’ve done before, and Andre was fairly new at working on camera. But along the way, something magical happened, not just with the people we met and worked with, but with Andre’s presence and confidence on the show. Seeing my son blossom like that made the experience worth it, but on top of that, we were able to bring this idea of ‘Dog Nation’ to everyone’s attention — it’s a mission to unite the human community over our common love for animals and to create positive change in that community.
Do you watch the shows on television? Or do you move on to the next project?
I try to see all of the episodes, but it isn’t always easy to find the time. And, yes, I’m always busy with the next project that’s coming along.
What can fans expect of you in the second half of 2017?
I am looking at putting another tour together, although there’s nothing definite yet. We’ll announce it at Cesarsway.com when we know. The other thing I’m really excited about is that I’ll be giving my Fundamentals of Dog Behavior and Training I course in November and December at both Dog Psychology centers, in Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, Florida — and I’ll also be leading the Fundamentals II course in L.A., back-to- back with Fundamentals I. And, of course, I’d love to be shooting another season of Dog Nation.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Cesar Millan’s Dog Nation will air its season finale Friday, April 21 at 9 p.m. on Nat Geo WILD. Click here for more information.
