Well-known within the entertainment industry for his major philanthropic efforts to aid animals and humans alike, Simon is the founder of The Sam Simon Foundation, whose mission is to “save the lives of dogs to enrich the lives of people.” The Foundation’s Assistance Dog Program adopts at-risk dogs facing death in shelters and trains them as certified assistance dogs, which are placed, free of charge, as companions to aid the deaf and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. A friend to them, he has become an inspiration to us, his grateful colleagues,” said WGAW President Chris Keyser.Ī Writers Guild, West member since 1980, in November Simon also received the WGAW’s Animation Writers Caucus (AWC) 16th Annual Animation Writing Award, a lifetime achievement honor recognizing his contributions to the craft of animation writing. Sam has dedicated himself to the cause of at-risk animals and people who have no other protector. And while this Guild has often honored his wit and skill, today we honor his generosity and love – his understanding that we are, in the end, all caretakers of each other. “The work of Sam Simon’s life has entertained and humbled us, in equal measure. Simon will be feted, along with other honorees, at the WGAW’s 2014 Writers Guild Awards West Coast ceremony to be held on Saturday, February 1, 2014, at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Now, as Simon has crossed his own Rainbow Bridge, he’s doubtless got a lot of furry friends waiting for him.Los Angeles – The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) has named The Simpsons co-developer, Emmy-winning television writer/director/producer, and philanthropist Sam Simon as its 2014 Valentine Davies Award honoree in recognition of his humanitarian efforts and community service on behalf of writers. There sits an urn with his ashes, with the inscription, “Good friend, Bad dog.” The phrase is tongue in cheek - next to the urn is a photo with Lono surrounded by feathers.
“It’s well spent just for the pleasure it gives me, honestly,” he told 60 Minutes.Īmidst all his wealth and his stunning art collection, Simon kept the place above the mantel in his home reserved for his first dog, Lono. Somewhere “in the millions of dollars” per year. He didn’t even know how much it all cost. Plus, the foundation also runs a pet visitation program, where dogs training to be service dogs visit assisted living homes in the surrounding neighborhood, bringing a bit of joy to seniors while also giving the dogs socialization skills.Īnd who had paid for all this? The foundation does not accept donations, according to 60 Minutes - Sam Simon paid for everything. According to the 60 Minutes piece, the clinic can take on 30 dogs a day. The Sam Simon Foundation also runs a mobile veterinary clinic, which travels throughout Los Angeles, providing a variety of free surgeries to cats and dogs belonging to low-income families. Those dogs who cannot complete the foundation’s service dog programs and become certified assistant dogs, for one reason or another, are offered up for adoption. It has programs that train service dogs for veterans and that train hearing dogs for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. According to the foundation’s website, all the dogs come from California animal shelters and are trained to be service dogs. The profile paints a wonderful picture of Sam and the shelter he created. Here, among the waterfalls and the manicured grounds, the Sam Simon Foundation gives stray and abandoned dogs a new lease on life, literally.” 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. As the 60 Minutes profile put it: “Simon is not just any dog nut. The Sam Simon Foundation was, of course, not just any dog foundation. We take comfort in knowing how many greetings he is receiving across that Rainbow Bridge. We all miss him, and in his honor, we will continue bringing his vision to light through our work at The Sam Simon Foundation. It is with much sadness that we must let you know that Sam Simon has passed over.
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