The Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show brings a world-class troupe of trainers and their adopted dogs to The Garde in New London for an evening that blends athletic spectacle with an explicit rescue mission. Organizers say every performing dog was adopted from shelters, rescue groups or found as a stray, and that the acts are intended to showcase both elite canine performance and the possibilities of shelter adoption.

At the center of the operation are Keri Caraher, President of The Canine Stars, and Ethan Wilhelm, Vice President. Caraher framed the production as an appeal as much as entertainment: “The Canine Stars hope to inspire you to build a stronger bond with your own dog, and please visit your local animal shelter when you are local to bring a new dog into your family.” The troupe emphasizes that the animals are not only professional athletes onstage but also companion pets who live with and are cared for by their handlers.

Performances at The Garde combine daring athleticism with theatrical staging. The company stages routines that include dog dancing, freestyle disc work, high jumping, dock diving and agility racing — disciplines commonly taught in dog training programs for performance shows. These activities are built on foundational behaviors such as focus commands; trainers often use exercises like “Watch Me” to teach reliable eye contact amid distractions, a basic skill that supports more complex tricks and competitive routines.

Trainers and organizers describe the show as a carefully choreographed series of short acts that highlight the individual personalities and skills of each dog. Many of the animals featured have documented histories that trace back to shelters, rescue organizations or lives as strays; through training and consistent care with their individual handlers, they have moved from uncertain beginnings to performing on professional stages. Organizers stress that each dog is individually owned and lives with its handler, a detail they cite when urging patrons to consider adoption as a path to a long-term human–animal bond.

The Canine Stars’ act structure leans on both athletic contests and family-friendly presentation. Audiences can expect sequences of high-energy stunts — including jumps, coordinated group formations and crowd-pleasing freestyle segments — woven together with music and theatrical lighting. Trainers say the animals enjoy the engagement and meeting the audience, and that public appearances are used as outreach moments to connect spectators to local shelters and rescue groups.

Organizers maintain an online presence with tour details and background on their teams and animals at their official site, The Canine Stars. The website lists upcoming dates, profiles of individual dogs and handlers, and information about the organization’s rescue-focused mission. The Garde presentation is part of a larger pattern of community-theatre stops where the troupe aims to reach families and potential adopters beyond the usual circuit for competitive dog sports.

Officials involved with the production framed the show as both entertainment and outreach. By presenting rescue dogs as accomplished performers who are also household companions, The Canine Stars hope to shift public perception about dogs from shelters. The troupe’s messaging stresses that training and consistent care can transform a rescued animal’s behavior and quality of life, and that adoption can lead to durable, rewarding partnerships for people and pets alike.

The Garde in New London offers theatre audiences a chance to see this blend of performance and advocacy in person. Organizers describe the event as an opportunity to celebrate working animals and encourage engagement with nearby shelters and rescue groups, turning the applause for a mid-air leap or a flawless freestyle routine into a prompt for community action.

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Original reporting: view the original article.