UNDERDOGS
Homeless dogs are transformed into adoptable animals through the training efforts of prisoners.
This story began as an assignment in a San Francisco community college class and inspired the drafting of legislation (Oregon's HB 2815) along the way. UNDERDOGS will be broadcast nationally on PBS stations in 2024, and is Ashia Solei's Directorial and CD Soundtrack debut. Ashia wrote and performed the music featured in UNDERDOGS and on the UNDERDOGS Soundtrack CD. She was honored to document the dogs' and prisoners' journey as they find their way back home.
“We are proud to present UNDERDOGS from first-time filmmaker Ashia Solei to the public television system. The documentary explores how caring for another being can be completely transformative as it follows the path of three prison inmates' journeys back to society -- with the homeless dogs that help them along the way.”
- Hilary Buxton, Content Director, American Public Television
“I found the documentary inspiring and heart-warming. It displayed the powerful impact of unconditional love and how the importance of a human-pet bond during the healing process of both can never be overestimated.”
- Dwayne Bright, KCET PBS Los Angeles, Senior Director, Programming.
“I was immediately charmed by UNDERDOGS' subjects – both human and canine – and the film’s poignant message that when presented with compassion, support, and an opportunity to help, people can transform their lives for the better.”
– Devin Karambelas, WETA PBS Washington, D.C. VP, TV Programming and Operations