With: Jacob Leezak, 
​Jennah Leezak​
Director: Eryn Wilson
Producers: Gareth Wallis, Eryn Wilson
Photography: James Body
Editor: James Brown
Music: Dean Kerr
REVIEW
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"A canine rehabilitation centre is tenderly profiled in Kiwi director Eryn Wilson’s affectionate documentary Dog’s Best Friend. Run by ex-soldier Jacob Leezak, the Canine Behaviour Expert Dog Psychology Centre is located on a property in outer Sydney that houses no fewer than 30 dogs at a time – all either abandoned, set to be euthanised or brought in by clients unable to handle their pet’s aggressive side. While Jacob will often allude to the media stigmatisation of particular breeds (the film even opens with some sobering euthanisation stats), Wilson wisely never centres the story on that debate. Instead, he focuses on the bond between man and dog, observing Jacob’s tailored process of rehabilitating misunderstood canines and the traumatic backgrounds that brought both him and his fiancée Jennah to this line of work.

Over a span of months, we get to watch the couple lovingly work with a range of pooches, with encounters that range from heated to heartwarming (try not to melt as one pup reaches new levels of Zen during a massage session). Without ever succumbing to soapboxing, this sweet and unassuming portrait is essential viewing for dog-lovers and dog-haters alike."
​
— NZIFF 2018


"Eryn Wilson's film is the definition of a labour of love... Dog's Best Friend is a gem of a film. It is also the single most memorable and admirable film I have seen in the last few months. Whether you love dogs or people, or both, please see it."

-- Graeme Tuckett, Dominion Post
FILM SOCIETY SCREENING

Whanganui
Monday 8th July, 7:00pm

Q&A with director Eryn Wilson will follow the film.

​Public screening: Non-members welcome by donation (suggested $10 per adult).
See more CINEMA AOTEAROA >>
Want to see this film?  Ask your local Film Society to add to their 2020 programme.