EXCLUSIVE! Hilary Swank's Star-Studded Dog-a-Thon Is the Thanksgiving Special You Can't Miss!

Tune in to this all-star salute to rescue dogs

Latest revision: November 27, 2024

Imagine talking with your dog. What a game-changer if he could voice his wants and feelings. Good news: it’s possible. Speech-language pathologist Christina Hunger taught her dog Stella to “talk” with a system she built from recordable buttons Stella can press to speak words. Stella now knows 45-plus words and forms phrases up to five words long. “Outside” variants are by far her favourite—surprising exactly zero dog people.

Actress, producer and animal advocate Hilary Swank teams with exec producer Michael Levitt and FOX to hand viewers a TV first this Thanksgiving! THE GREAT AMERICAN DOG-A-THON, a one-of-a-kind toast to man's best friend, airs Thanksgiving night, Thursday, Nov. 27 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Co-hosted by Swank, this feel-good family special will be a fun, energetic salute to rescue dogs and the happiness they bring. From basset hounds to boxers, pugs to Pomeranians, puppies to seniors, THE GREAT AMERICAN DOG-A-THON will wow viewers with moving and often hilarious rescue tales, tip its hat to the best viral clips starring rescue pups, fold in musical tributes to amazing superhero canines, and share stories honoring folks who give their lives to saving animals in need.

All through the show, celebrities will introduce rescue dogs to the audience, giving viewers a shot to foster or adopt a new best friend. Among the stars lined up: Scarlett Johansson, Josh Duhamel, Miranda Lambert, Kristen Bell, Fergie, Paula Abdul, Betty White, LeAnn Rimes, Kesha and Carrie Ann Inaba. More co-hosts and stars to come.

The special will hand out awards and star presentations across a range of dog categories, including Cutest Puppy, Best Celebrity/Dog Lookalike, Guiltiest Dog, Best Licker, Smartest Dog and Best Viral Dog Video.

'I've long backed animal adoption and know first-hand the huge joy a shelter animal adds to our lives,' said exec producer and co-host Hilary Swank. 'Yet every year more than four million animals are put down over crowded shelters. We're so lucky to have an animal ally in FOX that not only sees the need for more awareness on this, but will carve out a two-hour slot for this vital cause. This team-up will change the road of a soul for thousands of animals hunting for their forever home.'

'We've watched the entertainment world unite for so many worthy human causes—now it's time they rally for man's best friend. It warms my heart that so many animal-loving celebrities are stepping up for all the beautiful souls who need us to be their voice,' said exec producer Michael Levitt. 'This is our big shot to flip the wrong idea people have of shelter animals and show the world that rescuing a dog is always the way to go.'

'There are loads of specials for humans, but very few for the species we love most. In this first-of-its-kind event, FOX will let viewers appreciate the part dogs play in our lives, give to homeless-dog charities, and even adopt rescue dogs of their own,' said Simon Andreae, Executive Vice President, Alternative Entertainment, FOX. 'We know Hilary and Michael's passion and the energy of everyone involved will mean a huge difference for hopeful humans and homeless dogs all across the country.'

Swank is a flexible artist with a wide slate across her 20-plus years in showbiz. Her coming films include 'The Homesman,' opposite director/writer Tommy Lee Jones, and 'You're Not You,' where she stars and produces with Molly Smith via their shop, 2S Films. Beyond film, Swank has long backed several charities, but recently widened her giving with her own nonprofit, The Hilaroo Foundation. Through it, the foundation brings together youth written off by others and animals abandoned by theirs, to help heal each other via Rescue, Rehabilitation, Animal Adoption and Responsibility Training.

A: I believe every dog has the potential to use words! Age, breed, personality, and environment shape the learning, but having a way to say words can only deepen a dog’s communication.

Q: How have the talking buttons improved your relationship and deepened your bond?

A: I feel like I get a glimpse into Stella’s mind through her words. Instead of me guessing her thoughts, she tells me exactly what she wants—when she’s happy or mad, needs help or alone time, or just wants me to come play. Because we share a language, our bond is far more collaborative than the usual owner-dog setup. Stella’s thoughts and opinions genuinely matter to me.

The Incredible Bond That Forms When We Give Dogs a Voice

Q: How often does Stella use the talking buttons?

A: Ever since Stella started using words on her own, she presses her buttons to talk with us every single day—to say what she wants, note things around her, ask simple questions, answer ours, and more. I love hearing what she makes of her days.

Q: How best to get started with talking buttons for dogs?

A: Start with about four everyday words for things you both do daily. I began with outside, play, water, walk—words I already said to Stella often, tied to moments she was already communicating about. Once you pick your words and record each into a button, start narrating! Say “play” while your dog plays, and press “play” on his button too. Each time, you show him how to say it himself if he wants. My book is packed with tips for starting and building toward trickier concepts later.

Watch Stella the Talking Dog Communicate with Buttons