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.

[thin14]

Hurrah for Sam Simon - as much as I have laughed at the antics of Homer, Bart, et. al., I was brought to tears watching the story of how Sam is helping our dogs of the world. I too, have my babies remains with me and always will. The world needs more Sam Simon's!

Thanks for a great clip about a great program - I only wish he took donations!

Jim Warren
Fairfield, Ohio
513-633-7176

[kellydogs1]

What a great story!! I wish I had the means to do the same thing in my area.

Great job Sam Simon!! There will be many waiting for you at the rainbow bridge (when all dogs go to heaven). Keep doing what your doing.

Kelly

[salgruiz]

I just want to say "God Bless You, Sam Simon",
because should i have the kind of money he has, I would do the same thing he is doing. Except for I would do it for Cats, Dogs and Horses.
Either way, I think what he is doing its just wonderful and I also say: "I wish there were a lot more people like him", with money to do it with, of course.
Salvador Ruiz,
a Christian, Mexican immigrant from Lebanon, OH.

[malles4]

Thanks for the great piece on Sam Simon. He is one of a kind. I was brought to tears when they showed his first dog Lono. He looks like my dog Dobby, (named after the bad elf in the Harry Potter books. Love the picture of Lono & the pillow feathers. I think he should open programs like that all over the USA and maybe take donations.

Yvonne Malles
Lancaster, Pa
717-285-3713

[robinstep]

What an amazing man Sam Simon is!! My heart goes out to all the strays I see and I have been known to carry loads of food in the back of my explorer and feed the strays around my office daily. I wish I could take care of them all!

Kudos to Sam Simon for having the love for these animals as well as the resources to care for them!!!

I wish he took donations also or at least had more places across the country where one could volunteer!

Robin Stephenson
San Antonio, Texas

[sb6338]

Hi Sam,
It is so nice to watch TV and see a news story that makes us smile and warms our heat. We wish there were more people like you in the world. From the story on 60 minutes, you have the means to save some of our strays. They help people and bring them joy and love. You should be very proud of yourself! We have two dogs (Lucky and Maggie) who bring so much joy and love to our lives.
Bless you and Be Happy!
Sheila from Texas

[rachelo3]

Thanks so much for the story on Sam Simon! I love my three dogs, Annie, Maggie & Lola, to death, too, and I can understand where he is coming from. I think it's wonderful that he is able to do what he does. So often we read or hear stories of those who have come into large amounts of money and how it is squandered foolishly (I sometimes wonder if those stories are intended to make those of us without lots of money glad that we don't have it! Right.) Well, I think what he is doing with his money is great, and I hope that he can continue to do it for a long, long time! And I'll be looking at "The Simpsons" with a lot more respect from now on!

Rachel Simpson
Chesterland, Ohio

[vswartzellvs]

Thank you, Sam Simon, for what you are doing. The 60 Minutes story made me cry. You are doing an unbelievably wonderful thing with your foundation work. From your work at the shelters to visits at the Assisted Living Facilities, you will probably never fully know the impact those dogs are having.

Thanks again.

Vicki Swartzell & Maggie the Irish Setter
Milwaukee

[bigzulu2]

Hey, thanks for that slow pitch right over the plate! First you run a story about how we can't afford to pay for the boomer's social entitlements. The you follow it up with a story about a rich doofus who doesn't know what to do with his dough, so he spends it on stray dogs. Hmmmmm. Why don't we restore the 90% tax bracket to rich doofuses? Problem solved!

Boomer Jim in Albuquerque

[brydye2]

I can't wait to watch this!! I'm an obsessive dog lover, dog rights advocate and "companion" (owner) of six dogs, all formerly abandoned strays who we took in as our own; I love them as if they were my own children (I even wrote and published a book, entitled "And Now There Are Five-DOGS AND OTHER PEOPLE" and am working on film treatment for an agency.

God Bless Sam Simon; he's doing what many should be for our noblest friend....

Bryan Dye
Hemet, CA.
[e-mail]

[banditsspeci]

Sam, YOU ARE WONDERFUL!!! I wish that more people were as sympathetic as you are towards animals, as I am also. I cannot stress how much I wish our community would have someone such as yourself, with the funds to help our dogs here. I live in a small town in Ohio in which our Animal Shelter puts down anywhere from 8 to 15 dogs every week, it holds 40 dogs & sometimes they are doubled in the kennels. The worst thing about it is the people who work at the shelter really do not care.

Thank you for helping so many dogs! And for also helping the people who cannot afford the spay/neuter that you provide for them, since this is a lot of the pet populations problem.

Thank again,
Mindy Hunt
Heath, Ohio

[cerassie]

I watched the episode on Sam Simon tonight and the show about Oprah Winfrey's Academy for Girls the previous night. It is so refreshing to know that there are people out there who, although fabulously wealthy, still know how to spend their money wisely. Thanks...Oprah!

[mrself1]

Sam Simon is not a 'dog nut'. He is a Dogsend. The world needs more Sam Simons.
Over the years I have worked with a local animal shelter in Houston, taken in strays, abused and dropped-off dogs, etc. and have benefited from their presence in my life.
Not only does Mr. Simon give the dogs he saves a new lease on life, but he also contributes to a better life for people in need of their companionship and aid.
Bless you Sam Simon,
E. Blaschke
Houston, TX

[dogs4ever1]

I wish I could do as much as you have. One great and amazing thing I would like to do is meet Sam Simon. I grew up rescuing dogs on my own, but had no place to take them, and truly admire what Sam has done. Mr.Simon, if you ever read this, Please know there is no BIGGER Simpson / Dog fan in the world!
If you ever get a chance, please
give me a call. It would mean everything in the world to me, my birthday is April 16, and it would be the best birthday present ever.
Thanks - Paul Nichols
[e-mail]
559-736-2206 Visalia CA

[dearcami]

Dear Readers, I am one of the lucky people who adopted a Sam Simon "career change" dog - a little Sheltie/Golden Retriever mix who was a bit too spunky to qualify as a certified hearing dog. I want to emphasize that Sam Simon and his staff at the foundation not only save dogs, they bring invaluable assistance and companionship to people. My dog is half-trained, and I am half-deaf. What a perfect match! She is always alert to my surroundings, and makes me feel so much safer and in touch, despite my hearing disability. Thanks to you all at Sam Simon.

[jetlagsa]

thank you so much sam. i am a dog nut also.
you are a true american hero. you earn and you give back. god bless you.

[lieber1881]

You might be a typical Hollyweirdo, Sam, but you've got the heart of a true mensch.

How about a foundation for cats too - not to mention our animal treasures on the plains, the Buffalo, Elk, Antelope, and American Bald Eagle? If you build it, I will come.

[mprzewlo]

I'm a dog lover, too, but am aghast at the story here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?o=3&f=/c/a/2007/03/04/MNGC7N6Q3M1.DTL&type=printable. Can Sam Simon do something about all these folks that will no longer have a public library? I'm a dog lover first, but a librarian second.

[lisemarch]

Dear Sam:

Just had to stop everything and write to you to express my sincere gratitude.

Thanks very much on helping these lovable dogs, there is to much animal abuse today and it just feels great when we hear of a story like yours.

I am also an animal lover, I have given a home to a poodle, a mature cat at the SPCA, and just recently adopted a 3 month now 5 months kiddy cat. The SPCA is overcrowded, and cannot find homes for all, I wish I could help out more.

So thanks again Sam for doing this out of your great heart. Nice to see wealth being used this way.

Remember "when you give, it will be returned to you in some way".

So on behalf of all the dogs in need of care out there, Thank you (Bow Wow).

Sincerely,

Lise
NB
CANADA

[bink5of5]

Amazing story about an amazing guy with a great heart. Thank you, Sam, for all you do for our four legged friends. The world is a better place with people like you in it.

[glenhiller]

My wife spends EVERY thursday even thanksgiving waliking these dogs 20 below or 120 not a problem for her.she spends 8 hrs of her day working with them it helps them settle down when she comes in it's ear piercing noise cries for attetion,when she leaves you could hear a whisper from across the romm. It helps for adoption the leash training and being with other dods on walks. there is no run off drain solid waste cannot enter the old septic and the cages are 6x12 maybe and there are approx 16 of them then the little dogs are in stacked cages a little bigger then a taxi. My moter in law does the cat room 40 max cats in 16 by 20 room shelved areas where the set the beds and blankets and toys are places for enjoyment. it's not enough someone has to clean hours of cat litter cganges replacing the linnens for clean sleeeping all while cats walk on your neck and shoulder for a brush with past memories of human conpanionship. Our shelter needs to be replaced, we have a casino night in streator illinois at the knights of columbus april 14 2007, last year we raised 10,000 for a new place any autographed items cbs Sam Simon, or the general animal loving public can sapre or monetary gifts or pet suplies or baskets for raffle would be incredibly gracious. you Can send in the name of Pet Project Grand Ridge to address 2040 S. Rte 47 Mazon IL 60444. this is legitimate help and all donations should have a return address so we can send you a reciept for your tax deduction.

[pupart]

Hey Sam,
You're the best "nut" I have seen on TV! :)
Keep up the good great! work!
You're terrific!!!
Bonnie

[gatorbird3]

this is the most entertaining story I have seen on 60 Minutes or anything else in a long time. Sam Simon has the MOST infectious laugh. I found myself cracking up at his remarks on his lifestyle. It was like he was making fun of himself. The best kind of humor. Hilarious!! I would like so much talent to make that kind of MONEY!! YOU ROCK, SAM!!

[rasabaka]

Loved the Sam Simon story...what a refreshing change...wish I had the ability to rescue even half of what he does. It breaks my heart when I hear what some people do to animals.

Your story on Sam Simon was wonderful.It is just what I needed after the preceding stories. Besides the wonderful things he does for 'his' dogs and the people who benifit from them, Sam appears happier than anyone I have seen with his much money, good for him! My dog Buddy and I thank you.

Chris Craft
Bloomington,Il

[justme5175]

I thoroughly enjoyed your story on Sam Simon. His kindness is truly an inspiration. In a world of so much conflict it is nice to hear about something good. I adopted a puppy from a rescue organization about 2 1/2 yrs ago and I don't think I will ever get a dog from anyplace else. I believe in the work of the shelters so much that I looked into volunteering my time at my local humane society chapter (working at adoption events and walking the dogs). I highly reccommend that everyone who has some time to spare to look into volunteering, even if it is an hour a month, it is an hour that can make a difference in a dog/cat/other animal's life. It also makes for a great activity that the whole family can participate in.

It is amazing the impact that you can have on the animals and what you get back from them.

[kayl3]

Dear Sam,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your wonderful, amazing and kind beyond kind work with dogs. I have loved and adored animals since I was a child and find it imperative to protect them as they are innocent, cannot speak for themselves and yet, give 100% (and much more) pure love. I have rescued many kitties along the way, but, nothing compared to so many wonderful people in the world, to whom I so great admire and cherish their acts of kindness and heroism. You are one of those people. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful you are because I would be writing for days on end. Thank you for sharing yourself with all of us and congratulations on a job well done and even more so, for being a true human being with a heart of gold. I've always said that if I win the lottery, I will open an animal sanctuary and help every single animal I possible can. You are a true example of a kind and generous spirit. Thank you!!

[hearingdog]

While many got the point what a wonderful thing it is for Mr. Sam Simon to save so many dogs%u2026I hope it will not be overlooked what a truly wonderful gift it is to the deaf and those with a profound hearing loss to have such well trained and gifted dogs as helpers!

So many sounds that people just take for granted are now brought to our attention. Many, many thanks to Mr. Simon and to his trainers for making this provision possible!

[niteowlett]

Your story was absolutely heart warming as opposed to real life as we know it. You are a very UN-Hollywood kind of guy. Not that Hollywood doesn't have a heart, but your's doesn't seem to have strings or aggrandizing attached!!!

My mother was in the 60 minutes episode with you. She was the first senior to lunge out and kiss the visiting dogs at the Senior Concerns center in Thousand Oaks.

I wish there were more single guys like you out there in circulation.

Donna Taylor
Thousand Oaks, CA

[mmmpancakes]

Incredible report about an incredible man. Sam is a true hero of our age; a person of intense passion, boundless generosity, and progressive thinking. I'd be interested to know if Sam has been approached by public and/or private interests who wish to use his program as a model for their own, similar efforts. Also, have any researchers/Universities come forward to collect data and measure the social significance of his rescue enterprise? His organization is fertile ground for continuing documentation of the positive impact of animal-assisted therapies and service dogs.

[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

[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.?

[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

[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.

[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!

[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!

[cornholio622]

I have one dog nut and one regular!

[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

[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

[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!!!

[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.

[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.

[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

[cheinc]

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

[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

[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.

[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

[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.

[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