The Funny Farm - Episode Five

New Zealand’s very own Doctor Dolittle — animal behaviourist Mark Vette — features in this animal series, alongside his loyal dog Herc (star of the iconic Toyota ‘Bugger’ Ad). In this episode, Mark takes on the challenge of reforming Slammer, a dog with a history of aggression, and Herc finds himself smitten with Queen, a newfound canine friend. Meanwhile, photographer Rachel Hale captures the charm of a trained pig in costume for a calendar shoot. Then, Mark heads down to a rodeo to handpick a bull for a commercial, and shows off Spot the cow’s trained dance moves, which featured in a Japanese advert.

I’d never worked with pigs before until I got asked to do my first pig shoot, which was a still shoot for Rachel Hale. And yeah, ever since then, one of my favourite species to work with. Very intelligent, and they do get a bond with you just like a dog.

– Animal trainer Marie Manderson on working with pigs

Key Cast & Crew

Michael Hockley

Producer

Jason Hoyte

Narrator

Sean Duffy

Co-Director

Kevin Smith

As: Voice of Herc

Belinda Todd

Co-Director, Writer, As: Animal voices

Mark Vette

Subject, Series Advisor