Animal trainer Brandon McMillan has trained thousands of dogs for commercials, television, movies and for people. He had a hobby of saving dogs from animal shelters by training them to be well mannered and fun so homes could be found for them. So when Litton Entertainment needed a dog trainer who would rescue, train and place 22 dogs in 22 weeks for a show called “Lucky Dog” for CBS, they knew they had the perfect candidate with each episode being an adoption story that truly warms the heart. McMillian will be visiting animals shelters across the U.S., rescuing seemingly out-of control and unadoptable dogs.  Then, back at Brandon’s training facility known as the Lucky Dog Ranch, he goes to work on a labor of love, turning frightened pooches into perfect pets.  In the end, a lucky family will adopt an even luckier dog for a heartwarming, transformational show that will make a difference. McMillian is aware that over 9,000 dogs and cats are euthanized each day in the U.S., so it is difficult to choose just a few dogs to give them a chance. “I can only take one out. That means I have to walk by 99 I can’t take. All 100 are very trainable, very place-able and just as smart as the next dog. Often the one I choose just comes down to one I make a connection with,” McMillan said.

McMillan will choose the family the dogs will be placed with by evaluating emails he receives and will look at the home and yard where the dog will live. The episode will end with the dog and the family meeting with McMillan training the family how to interact with their new charge. “Lucky Dog” airs on Saturday morning (check local listings for time), replacing cartoons with an inspirational and educational program. McMillan was born into a family of animal entertainers, and he says he’s been training animals since he was a baby. Although he’s worked with many types of animals, dogs are his passion. According to CBS, he’s “well known for rescuing dogs on death row, then turning them into well-trained pets, service animals, and sometimes even movie stars.”