Shelter pets are the best. But sometimes the tearjerker sob story commercials (looking at you Sarah McLachlan) and images of animals cooped up in cages is too much and can have the opposite effect it intends. Shelter Me a new show on PBS sets out to show the happy side of shelter dogs by sharing uplifting stories about shelter pets and their new homes. The show, hosted by Katherine Heigl, celebrates the human-animal bond with positive success stories. The ultimate goal is to prove what many of us (especially Pawesome readers!) already know: shelter dogs deserve a second chance and bottom line make great pets.

The documentary style show features shelter pets who help war veterans cope with PTSD, dogs who are trained by inmates at a women’s prison to help people with disabilities and the journeys of animals as they enter the shelter until they go home with their new families. Shelter Me is airing now through the end of June on PBS stations. Visit the Shelter Me website to check your local listings.

In the picture: Happy and Lady, two awesome shelter dogs who were given a second chance.

Image via Katie Redmiles