Andy: A Dog’s Tale, an award-winning short film directed by Jamy Wheless, a veteran ILM animator best known for his work on Yoda, Hulk and Pirates of the Caribbean, recently hit 10 million views on YouTube. The CG-animated short centers on a puppy who overcomes a series of obstacles to find his purpose in life as a Canine Companions service dog.

The popularity of the film is especially appropriate in 2025, as Canine Companions celebrates 50 years of providing expertly trained service dogs, at no cost, to people with disabilities. A beautiful children’s book based on the short will also arrive in October.

Wheless was kind enough to answer a few of our questions about his pawsome short recently. Here’s what he told us:

Animation Magazine: Congrats on the success of your heart-warming short. Can you tell us a little bit about how it all started?

Jamy Wheless: In January 2020, I received a call from Paige Braddock, the creative director at Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates. She told me that Jean Schulz was interested in producing an animated marketing video for Canine Companions, the service dog organization. Paige asked if I’d be willing to meet with Jeannie and share a bit about my company, Ignite Animation Studios.

I drove up to Santa Rosa and sat down with Jeannie and Paige. As we discussed the project, Jeannie explained that she envisioned an animated marketing piece that captured the heart of Canine Companions’ story — told from the perspective of the dog.

From the moment we sat down, I was captivated. I hadn’t known much about Canine Companions before, but the more I listened, the more inspired I became. These dogs don’t just help — they change lives. I could see right away that we had an opportunity to create something special. My pitch was simple: instead of a short marketing piece, why not tell a story? A short film that follows a puppy’s journey to find his purpose in life. At the heart of it was a universal theme — a puppy overcomes obstacles to discover his place in the world. For me, it echoed my own path, and I think it’s something everyone can connect with. That one idea became the foundation for everything we built.

What prompted you to tell this story in an animated format?

Animation was the perfect medium to tell this story because it allowed us to step fully into the world from the dog’s point of view. Through animation, we could express the puppy’s thoughts, dreams and aspirations in ways that live action simply couldn’t capture. It gave us the freedom to heighten emotion, stylize the journey and convey abstract ideas — like hope, perseverance and legacy — visually and poetically.

Which animation tools were used? How many people worked on it with you?

Our pipeline was built around Maya, Houdini and Unreal Engine. As we all know, 2020 changed everything. When the pandemic hit, I pivoted Ignite Animation into a fully virtual studio — almost overnight. The timing turned out to be perfect. Over the next year, we built a global team: our writer in London, our storyboard artists in Los Angeles, rigging artists in Germany, lighting and fur specialists at Crater Studio in Serbia, and animators from around the globe. Twice a week, every week, for over a year — collaborating across time zones and continents.

Once the script and story were locked, the project truly took flight. I partnered closely with our storyboard artist in L.A., a seasoned talent with a decade of experience. Over four months, I personally edited the film in Premiere Pro, pushing and polishing each sequence. My goal was to take out the original narration from the script and let the music and visuals tell the story. The story evolved — growing into something deeper and more compelling than we first envisioned. And when Oscar-nominated music composer, Matthew Wilder, came on board to write the music, it took the story to whole new level.

Can you tell us more about the role that Jean Schulz and Canine Companions played in this project?

Jean Schulz has been a dream collaborator. From our very first meeting, she had a clear vision of what she wanted. Throughout the production, I met regularly with Jean and Jeanine Konopelski, the head of marketing at Canine Companions, for weekly reviews. Jean brought patience, trust and unwavering support at every stage — giving us the freedom and confidence to shape the story with care. Through their leadership, I quickly fell in love with the entire Canine Companions community — from the dedicated breeders and selfless puppy raisers to the inspiring recipients whose lives are forever changed. I remember thinking, “This story tells itself. All we need is a main character with Forrest Gump’s heart wrapped in a playful ball of fur.”

After three years of working side by side—through production and on the film festival circuit — I’m grateful to now call her a dear friend.

What has been the most memorable response to your short?

There are so many! Of all the memorable responses to our film, one moment stands out vividly. Early in production — before the film was fully finished — my wife and I were visiting friends in Montana at a place called Hope Ranch. By chance, about 30 at-risk children had gathered there that day to ride horses, enjoy lunch and be loved and encouraged. They asked if I’d share my journey in animation and talk about my experience working on Star Wars. I thought it might be fun to also show them an early cut of our short film and see what they thought.

As the film played, I found myself watching the kids more than the screen. One young boy in particular caught my attention. During one of the key emotional moments, he abruptly dropped his head and began to sob. His reaction moved me deeply. After the screening, I approached him to ask what he thought. He told me it was the bond between Andy and his new friend, Olivia, that he liked most — it reminded him of his family and how he wanted that connection. That moment stayed with me. It reminded me why we tell stories — to reach into people’s hearts and remind them they’re not alone.

What was the toughest aspect of the project?

The biggest challenge we faced was the pandemic, which hit right in the middle of our film’s development. We were about 40 days into pre-production when everything began to shut down. As I mentioned earlier, we pivoted quickly to a fully virtual studio —  something that, in hindsight, turned out to be a blessing. What made all the difference was Jean Schulz’s steady leadership. She never wavered. At a time when it would have been easy to hit pause and wait for the world to settle, Jean simply said, “Let’s keep going.”

My background at ILM shaped every aspect of how I approached the short. At ILM, I learned that no matter how advanced the technology, the real magic happens when you ground a story in authentic emotion and relatable characters. That mindset carried directly into this film. From day one, our focus wasn’t just on creating beautiful animation — it was about telling a great story and giving the audience someone to relate to.

The lessons I took from ILM about teamwork and perseverance were just as crucial. Building Andy meant assembling a team of artists from around the world and guiding them through a deeply collaborative process — something I’d experienced firsthand on large-scale productions. I knew how vital it was to create an environment where every artist, no matter where they were, felt ownership of the story and connection to the characters.

And at the heart of it all was the philosophy my mentor, Natalie Cooper, instilled in me: the story is the character. Every decision — from the way Andy moved, to how light shaped a scene, to the pacing of an emotional beat — was anchored in the question: What is Andy thinking and feeling in this moment? And beyond that, how do these moments reveal Andy’s journey in a way that speaks to something universal — something the audience can recognize within themselves?

What do you hope viewers will take away from the short?

As a director, you’re always searching for the emotional beats that shape a character’s journey. My hope is that audiences see their own path reflected in Andy — the timeless hero’s journey we all walk. Like Andy, we’re called into unexpected challenges, tested by trials, and ultimately transformed by the experience. I also hope the film shines a bright light on Canine Companions — an extraordinary organization that truly changes lives. Story after story, they offer hope, independence, and encouragement to people with needs and disabilities. I want viewers to walk away encouraged, knowing that their own journey — like Andy’s — is leading them somewhere meaningful.

What is your take on the world of animation in 2025?

I’m incredibly excited about the future of animation — it feels like we’re standing at the edge of a new frontier, where storytelling, technology and artistry are converging in ways we’re only beginning to imagine. It takes me back to how I felt when Jurassic Park first hit theaters. At the time, many of my friends in 2D animation feared their careers were over. Nothing could have been further from the truth. That era opened doors for more jobs and gave me the opportunity to work at ILM and learn from some of my heroes, including George Lucas and Ang Lee.

Today, I believe the future is brighter than ever for storytellers. AI is simply another tool — an advanced one — that can enhance the creative process and foster deeper collaboration. While AI excels at analyzing the past, it’s the human artists who will be the forward thinkers, pushing the boundaries.

Because at the end of the day, no matter how technology evolves, the heart of every great story will always come back to character—and the universal truths of the human condition.

Learn more about Jamy Wheless’ Ignite Animation studio at igniteanimationstudios.com.

More information about Canine Companions, including how to bring a service dog into your own family, volunteering and other ways to help their mission, can be found at canine.org.