Animal Stars

September 1, 2014
Robin Ganzert, the president of the American Humane Association, along with Angel Animals Network founders Allen and Linda Anderson, has compiled a delightful behind-the-scenes glimpse into how trainers are able to coax performances out of animal actors, from horses to bears, dogs to cats, snakes to maggots. The trainers of such recognizable film stars as beautiful Joey, who portrayed Finder in War Horse, and the charming Jack Russell terrier, Uggie, who stole the show in The Artist, share their stories of managing animals on set, coaxing their stellar performances, and rewarding them for jobs well done. Bonny, the shih tzu who played a crucial role in Seven Psychopaths, did not respond to typical motivators such as food or toys, so her trainer had to find alternate ways to motivate her. Animals are not immune to diva demands, either: Casey the bear, who appeared in Back to the Future, had to have Kentucky Fried Chicken while working. Animal lovers will revel in these fun tales of animal actors and will be gratified by the AHA's determination to keep them safe.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)