About us
Susan Millar, Good Dog Zone Editor.
First I'll introduce myself, because I'm the one responsible for the content of the site. So, if you want me to tackle a topic or comment on my blog or suggest ideas, go for it. The site is for all of us.
Believe it or not, dogs weren't even on my radar until I was well beyond childhood. It's hard to believe, because dogs are so important in my life now. But my original family never had dogs. A few of my friends had dogs, but really, I wouldn't have known a Boxer from a Rottweiler, if I had tripped over one. To be fair, I probably could have picked out a Spaniel, Poodle or Golden Retriever.
But as fate would have it, my television career landed me right smack in the middle of dogdom. PBS wanted to do a series on pets, which included many dogs, which led to another series, which led to yet another. By this point, I'd met hundreds of dogs and their owners. They all seemed to love being with each other. And the dogs seemed to bring a lovely energy to their families.
But that wasn't the only avenue leading me to the world of dogs. Fate was going to make sure I landed there. Both my children wanted dogs. My son, when he was little, had three stuffed dogs, he thought that if I saw how well he cared for them, I'd get him a real one. But his tactics were a bit subtle for me.
My daughter was more upfront. She had to make a graduation speech at the end of Grade 3. Her topic? "Why I should have a dog." Of course, many of the parents were in attendance, and they all gave my husband and I the hairy eyeball. She also collected letters from people supporting her wish. And of course, when Stanley Coren came on the scene to make the Good Dog! Series, our fate was sealed.
But we've loved every minute of our life with Zoom (except when he barks too much!). He's spirited, playful, fun-loving and as nutso as the rest of the family.
So here I am, continuing my career in the world of dogs.
Dr. Stanley Coren, Host.
He has written a number of internationally best selling books about dogs, including “The Intelligence of Dogs”, “Why We Love Dogs”, “How to Speak Dog” and “The Pawprints of History”.
He has been featured on television talk shows across the United States and Canada. Dr. Coren is an instructor at the Vancouver Dog Obedience Training Club. He and his dogs have participated in and have also won many dog obedience trials and competitions held under the auspices of the Canadian Kennel Club. They have also been members of numerous award-winning Precision Dog Obedience Teams.
Jenny Whittall, Host.
Jenny has extensive experience in television as an on-camera host as well as as a producer and director.
She is a great lover of dogs, most of all, her golden retriever, Lucy, who is “co-host” with Jenny in SOMA’s TV series “Pet Friends”.
Early in her career, she was host/producer for the TV Ontario – CBC Newsworld series, Imprint, a show about literature; The Travel Magazine, a CBC co-production with Bonaventure Travel Co. and CBC What’s New geared to teenagers. She has an honors B.A. in English from the University of Toronto. In 1985, she was an ACTRA nominee for best host-interviewer on a current affairs program.
Deepak Sahasrabudhe and Susan Millar, along with the many talented people that have worked with them,have produced 22 television documentary series and many “one-offs” since its inception over 20 years ago. Their programs have been on a wide range of subjects: some of the more recent series include, Good Dog!, Nature Walk, Women’s Wellness, and Your Green Home.
Their programs have been honored with over 60 international awards, and have often been rated in the top five most watched series on the networks. The primary broadcasters airing SOMA’s TV series have been Life Network, PBS, TVOntario and others. The series have also been sold all over the world. Deepak has a Bachelor of Sociology/Anthropology from Carleton University. Susan has a Bachelor of Journalism (Honors) from the same university.