Animal Planet Introduces a Daily Dose of Simple Pleasures With Two New Series Premiering in August

Animal Planet Introduces a Daily Dose of Simple Pleasures With Two New Series Premiering in August

- Premiere Series DOGA Introduces a New Way of Life for People and Their Dogs -

- Premiere Series BACKYARD HABITAT Helps Make the Planet a Better Place for Animals ... One Backyard at a Time -

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Animal Planet plans to embrace the dog days of summer this year by introducing two half-hour series in a new daytime block known as Simple Pleasures, beginning this August. The new series DOGA and BACKYARD HABITAT, which recently began production, will help people enjoy their world more, one animal at a time. DOGA brings people and dogs together like never before, showing viewers how interspecies yoga creates a whole new approach to healthy living and leads to all kinds of new adventures. Created in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, BACKYARD HABITAT builds on the organization's current Backyard Habitat Wildlife(TM) program, which for 30 years has inspired people to make a home for wildlife right outside their back door.

"When I first came to Animal Planet I recognized an opportunity to update our daytime offerings with new programs created to encourage people to seek out the uncensored, joyful connections between themselves and animals," says Maureen Smith, executive vice president and general manager of Animal Planet. "At Animal Planet we find wonder and awe in the wild, but also have a deep appreciation for the simple pleasures animals bring to our everyday lives."

Kari Harendorf and her 5-year-old husky mix, Charlie, are best friends living together in New York City. Nothing unusual there, except that they teach Yoga to dogs and their owners. Sound odd? Devotees attest that it stimulates physical and mental well-being (for both dog and owner).

Kari and Charlie like to keep the good karma flowing outside of the DOGA studio by embarking on endless adventures together, from rescuing a litter of abandoned puppies in Times Square to shopping in their favorite East Village boutiques to attending the ultimate beach party in the Hamptons.

When it comes to dogs, Kari Harendorf is an expert. She is an animal behaviorist and dog trainer who spent three years as an emergency veterinarian technician. She is also a dog lover whose goal is to bring the harmony and joys of DOGA into everyone's life.

In partnership with the National Wildlife Federation comes BACKYARD HABITAT, a show that teaches people to make the planet a better place for animals ... one backyard at a time. Each day, viewers learn to transform an outdoor space into an NWF-certified haven for local flora and fauna. Whether it's a tiny balcony in mid-town Manhattan, a rolling half-acre in Lexington, Kentucky or a desert oasis in Tucson, Arizona, every "backyard" has the potential to attract an amazing array of wildlife every day. The show is an enlightening introduction to welcoming wildlife into the yard.

Show co-host Dave Mizejewski, manager of the Backyard Wildlife Habitat(TM) program for the National Wildlife Federation, has been fascinated by wild creatures since childhood. Mizejewski holds a degree in human and natural ecology from Emory University. He has worked as a naturalist at Nature Centers in Georgia and Virginia, and he directed an urban forestry grant program for the National Tree Trust in Washington, DC. Mizejewski authored the National Wildlife Federation's book Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife in 2004.

Show co-host Molly Pesce is a nationally known host and correspondent on shows including The Daily Show, New York Now and numerous syndicated network specials. Molly and her husband have a 3-year-old daughter named Charlotte.

BACKYARD HABITAT is being produced for Animal Planet by Rivr Media. Grace Novinger is the supervising producer for Rivr Media. Alexandra Bennett is the executive producer for Animal Planet.

DOGA is being produced for Animal Planet by Arden Entertainment. Dan Arden is the executive producer for Arden Entertainment. Wendy Douglas is the executive producer for Animal Planet.

The National Wildlife Federation is America's conservation organization protecting wildlife for our children's future.

Animal Planet, available in more than 86 million homes nationwide, is the only television network dedicated exclusively to the connection between humans and animals. The network's original programming brings together people of all ages by tapping into a fundamental fascination with animals and providing an entertaining mix of programming, including original movies, adventure series, sports, drama and sitcoms. Discovery Networks, U.S., a unit of Discovery Communications, Inc., operates and manages Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery HD Theater, Discovery Kids Channel, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Discovery Home Channel, The Military Channel, Discovery en Espanol and FitTV. The unit also distributes BBC AMERICA.

Source: Animal Planet

CONTACT: Kate Hawken of Animal Planet, +1-240-662-2947

Web site: http://www.discovery.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: To download photos from DOGA and BACKYARD HABITAT, go to www.press.discovery.com, click US networks; Animal Planet; Photography and Artwork.

------- Profile: Ent