'60 Minutes' visits; dogs come too

'LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION'-A TV crew from "60 Minutes," the nationally known CBS showfollowed dogs from the Sam Simon Foundation to the Thousand Oaks Senior Concerns' Adult DaCenter to shoot part of a segment on the group's humanitarian efforts. Jay Keesling, left, is being taped as Shiz Okada cuddles LowestjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjWith TV cameras from "60 Minutes" focused on her, Shiz Okada held tightly to Sal, a poodle mix who bonded with her immediately.

The news crew brought the cameras, along with long boom microphones and lots of excitement, to cover the Sam Simon Foundation, a nonprofit group out of Malibu that was visiting the Senior Concerns Adult Day Care Center in Thousand Oaks.

About 45 fragile seniors sit patiently in chairs and wait their turn to hold and pet the canines, who are often brought to the center by the organization, said Maureen Symonds, center director.

"Nobody likes to be left out," Symonds said. "Holding the dogs has a calming effect on them. It lowers their blood pressure."

Sal snuggled to Okada's chest and appeared as if he'd be happy there for the rest of his life. She held him close.

Emma Reinoso and Radar "I just love dogs. I used to have all kinds of dogs," Okada recalled, as she ran her fingers through Sal's soft fur.

Sal is one of the dogs adopted from animal shelters by the Sam Simon Foundation. His life was spared because the keen eye of a trainer noticed he might have what it takes to be a service dog.

Too small to be a Seeing Eye dog, Sal still has the potential of helping someone in need. He could be trained to be a hearing dog for the deaf or an assistance dog for the elderly.

Sal and his friends Radar and Candy Cupcake were brought to the center to be socialized and to give joy to those who participate in the adult day care program, according to trainer Kim Meinhardt.

"When the dogs come, we have good times," said Jay Keesling, a senior at the center enjoying the day, the music and good friends.

Emma Reinoso was given Radar to hold. Once the dog was in her arms, she didn't want to let him go, Reinoso said.

David Browning, "60 Minutes" producer, said the segment they were shooting should air before the end of the year and would include other activities of the Sam Simon Foundation.

"They go around Los Angeles with a van and spay and neuter dogs and cats for free," Browning noted.

The van is set up to do surgery on dozens of animals in one day. The various services the foundation offers are a result of the generosity of its namesake, Sam Simon, one of the creators of the TV show "The Simpsons," Browning said.

Simon's philanthropy is the focus of the "60 Minutes" segment they were filming, he said.

The Emmy Award-winning writer, producer and director founded the Sam Simon Foundation in 2003.

For more information, go to samsimonfoundation.com.