Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG) will launch “Lucky Dog: Paws with Purpose,” a new CBS weekend morning series focused on pairing dogs with military veterans and families, the broadcaster announced on Tuesday.
The series will debut Saturday, October 3 as part of the “CBS WKND” educational/informational programming block.
“Lucky Dog: Paws with Purpose” is produced by HMPG in an exclusive partnership with USAA, the financial services company serving military members, veterans and their families. The series is hosted by Emmy Award-winning animal trainer Brandon McMillan.
The show follows McMillan as he pairs dogs with veterans and military families, with each match intended to provide comfort, companionship and stability. Featured stories include Peaches, a mixed breed who may be matched with an Air Force veteran and her son, and Steve, a playful poodle being considered for a Marine Corps veteran and her daughter.
The series will also feature Smoky, a certified therapy dog and USAA’s new K9 ambassador and Chief Pawsitivity Officer, along with her handler Chris, an Air Force Reservist and former military working dog handler.
“USAA has been taking care of our members every day since our founding 104 years ago, and Smoky is the embodiment of that as she is a symbol of comfort and well-being for our employees and the military community,” USAA Chief Marketing Officer Chris Curtin said in a statement on Tuesday.
Curtin said the stories in “Lucky Dog: Paws with Purpose” reflect “the strength, resilience and connection” within military life.
Bryan Curb, the President of Hearst Media Production Group, said the new series builds on the broader “Lucky Dog” franchise while focusing on veterans, spouses and military families.
“The Lucky Dog franchise has always been about the transformative bond between people and animals,” Curb said.
“Lucky Dog: Paws with Purpose” will be followed by “Lucky Dog: Down Under,” also hosted by McMillan, which returns for its second season. The show follows shelter dogs in Australia as they move from rescue and rehabilitation to adoption.
Together, the two programs will create a full hour of “Lucky Dog” programming on CBS.
Since launching in 2013, the “Lucky Dog” franchise has helped rescue, rehabilitate, train and re-home more than 200 dogs. The franchise has received three Daytime Emmy Awards, 63 Telly Awards, seven Parents’ Choice Awards and five Cynopsis Kids Imagination Awards. McMillan has also earned two Daytime Emmy Awards for his work as host of the series.
