Meet Sam Simon, The Dog Nut

Morley Safer Meets One Of The Unusual Co-Creators Of The Simpsons

(CBS)  This segment was originally broadcast on March 4, 2007. It was updated on July 15, 2007.

This story is a goofy stew of big money, abandoned dogs, professional boxing, fine art, poker, and America's favorite dysfunctional family, the Simpsons. Those various elements are embodied in the personality of a 52-year-old Californian named Sam Simon, a veteran television producer who is perhaps the Renaissance man of the baffling, uncertain age we live in.

As correspondent Morley Safer reports, Simon is a man of many and diverse passions, but mostly a self-confessed dog nut.

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"I used to deny that I was a dog nut and people would ask me, 'Well, what is a dog nut?' And I would say, 'Well, to me the line was when you start dressing up your dogs.' And then I had to qualify that I don’t do that except on, you know, Halloween or special occasions," Simon tells Safer.

Sam Simon's Halloween costume party for dogs is something to bark about. There’s Harvey, his gigantic Irish wolfhound, and Casey, 16, deaf as a stone and of dubious provenance. Sam got Casey from an old girlfriend's pot dealer. For his guests, Sam organized dog games and prizes for the best costume. Remember, this is Hollywood.

And Simon is not just any dog nut. This one runs the grandest dog shelter in the country, a five star, six acre spread in Malibu, perhaps the most desirable real estate on the planet. Here, among the waterfalls and the manicured grounds, the Sam Simon Foundation gives stray and abandoned dogs a new lease on life, literally.

"We rescue dogs and we train them to be service dogs, which helps people with disabilities," he explains.

The dogs all come from southern California animal shelters, where many of them would otherwise be put down, a euphemism for killed. A fate that the ASPCA says befalls as many as nine million lost and unwanted dogs and cats each year in this country.

On one day at the pound, Barb Velasquez, Sam's chief dog trainer, was scouting for a lucky candidate or two. It’s a tough job. "The hardest part of all this is looking at a dog that you know is not at all suitable for our program. And just having to walk away," she admits.

A potential trainee can’t be too big, too shy or too aggressive. One stray finally made the cut during her visit. She's quickly given a new name – Amber – and a ticket out, to Sam’s dog paradise in Malibu.

There, Amber and the others go through six months of training as companions for deaf people, alerting them that the phone is ringing, the doorbell, and the smoke alarm. There’s a staff of trainers and vets; some of them live at the shelter full time.

The vets also travel around Los Angeles in Sam's spay and neuter-mobile, so people in low-income neighborhoods can get their pets fixed for free. The mobile is a state-of-the-art operating room on wheels, snipping away at 30 dogs a day.

Add in the visits the dogs make to lonely seniors, and it’s quite an empire. The Sam Simon Foundation does not accept donations; he foots the entire bill.

Simon doesn't even know how much these programs cost him every year, except that it's in the millions of dollars. "It's well spent just for the pleasure it gives me, honestly," he says.

[seejayd]

I had no idea Sam Simon had a dog rescue program; especially a hearing dog program; which I support a thousand times over! I have been a fan of Sam Simons since I got involved working on his cells. Currently I have a hearing dog from another program, and he has changed/enhanced my life in ways I never thought possible. When its time to retire Mr. Hobbitt, I will most likely support this program for my next call. Thank you! Cindy

[cindirh]

Sam, You are extraordinary, I'm so glad for people like you. Keep up the good work, Spaying and neutering is the solution, and your making a difference. Your one of my heros!

Regards,
Cindi H.

[daavi-2009]

Sam, what you are doing is extraordinary. We thank God for you. However, can you help us, DAAVI, to house orphans in Sierra Leone, Africa that are living in deplorable conditions? Thanks for your comments.

Rachel

[mswolfestock]

What a great story - Sam the Saint to Abandoned Dogs. I love his spay and neuter-mobile idea. I hope that other animal lovers can make this idea work in other places. Spaying and neutering are the only hope we will ever have for reducing the number of abandoned animals.

[reddybrand]

I'm in love with this story. I'm in love with the "Dog Nut".

I wish more people had this type of love in their hearts. This would be a better world for all, if they did.

God has blessed you for a reason, Sam. Thank you for sharing your blessings.

Love,
Melanie

[reddybrand]

I'm in love with this story. I'm in love with the "Dog Nut".

I wish more people had this type of love in their hearts. This would be a better world for all, if they did.

God has blessed you for a reason, Sam. Thank you for sharing your blessings.

Love,
Melanie

[cheinc]

I am profoundly deaf & would like to find out more about Sam's Foundation for "Hearing Dog"

[ppruter]

Dear Sam,
What a wonderful story. I'm a Dog Nut too. But, what you're doing is such a Gift!! A Gift to the Dogs and a Gift to the people who receive the special Dog to help them have a complete life. I don't know if you have a website. If you did, I would love to send you a picture of my Shasta. Shasta is a German Shepherd mix and looks just like your "LONO". May you have a wonderful life doing all that you do for others and for you. Life is short; Each Day is a Gift. ppruter

[petparent]

Sam

You are a God send to these homeless animals. You do what I can only dream about. I'm 42 and my children are dogs, 3 of them adopted from rescue agencies and shelters. May God continue to bless you.

There are so many people who have the ablility you do to help homeless animals but choose to blow their money on monetary things and give it to human causes that are a waste of good money that could save homeless animals.

[gemeni52]

Sam,

I think you are an angel for saving all the dogs. I lost my little dog on my birthday this year. I said I would never have another dog until I say your little white maltese/poodle on 60 Minuetes tonight. I use to have a maltese until he was hit by a car. If you ever want to find a home for it please consider me. I have degenerative spine disease and it is getting hard for me to get around. If you could find it in your heart to share one of your dogs with me, I would be forever grateful.

[deedee7771]

Sam:

You are an amazing person, may you be blessed over and over again. I have that same heart. I live a breathe animals, especially dogs and cats. I wish there was a law to stop all the pet population, and stiffer penalties to animal cruelty. I have 2 dogs, and 3 cats. I love them all so much. They are the joy in my heart. I found the cats, or should I say they found me. All but one wild one have anot had spade, but we are working on becoming friends, so hopefully she will trust me as her family. I wish I had the opportunity to do the same. Thank you for all you do!!!

[rysheron]

Hi Sam,
I was so very happy to see Harvey, He is looking great! You to :). You are doing such great work I am so proud to know you. I will keep you and Harvey in my Prayers, and Will get Harvey a new sister as soon as one comes along. Thank You for the call.

Harvey's Grandma, Cheryl

[tvirtue-2009]

sam simon + tarita virtue = a very happy life!

the second i saw sam on 60 minutes, i said, "mum, dad...this is your future son-in-law...he is as nuts for dogs as i am."

sam - i'm looking forward to your call...

www.taritavirtue.com

[cornholio622]

I have one dog nut and one regular!

[sassypooinms]

I, too, am a dog nut! Thank you for saving each and every precious "bambino" you do. I have stage 4 cancer in both lungs and I tell my family and friends that I want to be in charge of all the puppies when I get to Heaven. I would adopt every puppy I could if I had your resources and I'm so glad you do the good work you do. You're a man in a million. Good luck to you and yours!

[sdsproud]

What a wonderful, wonderful person you are, Sam! This brought happy tears to my eyes. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I am sure the shelters, the dogs, and all of the caring people who work so hard to find loving homes for these animals are very, very grateful, too, not to meniton the people you are helping. GOOD FOR YOU!

[g63n00]

Loved the story about Sam Simon. If he ever considers any other areas for his rescue organization, believe me that there are plenty of strays in the Birmingham area of Alabama that need to be saved.

[francesneal]

What a truly wonderful and heartwarming story. Sam Simon, you have a heart of GOLD!!! The world needs more people like you...you will be rewarded for your efforts. God bless you and the animals!!!
Frances

[katsanctuary]

If there were only more people like Sam Simon that would help shelter animals. I wish we had a mobile surgery in our county like Sam has provided, many unwanted animals are just put in sacks and dumped in the river. Does he have a fund for helping other areas inthe U.S.?

[jO aNN FITZGERALD]

Dera Sam I think it's great what you do to help dogs. I really love dogs too. Dogs are alot smarter than alot of people I know. I think a dog could even run the white house it would be better than what we have now. Keep up the good work.Jo Ann