As public media relations director for Nashville Humane Association (NHA), Kenny Tallier wants every dog — and cat — to have its day, and to do that, he works to find each animal in the shelter’s care a forever home. His love of animals and professional background make him the perfect person for the job.

Originally from New York, Kenny had a successful career in television production, including winning the first Daytime Emmy for VH1. He moved to Nashville to follow a similar path before deciding to pursue his passion and work with animals. Fourteen years ago, he started at NHA in animal care before working up to his current position. “It’s just kinda perfect,” he says. “I want to be the person to talk for the animals.”

Kenny's duties are a blend of rigorous planning and bursts of spontaneity, with animal adoptions being his key objective. He manages the NHA’s social media accounts, where scheduled posts include the popular “Gotcha Day" photos of recently adopted pets. Now that the NHA is back open without appointments, he also entices people to visit the shelter with adorable photos and videos that shout, “Come visit me now!” In addition to getting the word out about adoptions, he promotes the nonprofit’s four annual charitable events and its programs for fosters, volunteers, donations, food banks and other services.

Most people recognize Kenny from the Pet of the Week series, where he travels to local media outlets to talk about the featured dog or cat and what’s going on at the NHA. Before heading out, he spends extra time with each animal to build trust and to make sure he or she has the personality to enjoy all the attention they will get. On Mondays, you’ll find the pair at The Big 98’s Wayne D Show for Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Monday, and on Thursdays, they visit Woody and Jim at 107.5 The River and Battle at sister station 105.9 The Rock. In August, they’ll return to Today in Nashville, now that WSMV studios are reopening. These appearances always result in calls, visits and, ultimately, adoptions of the featured pet and others at the shelter.

"No matter what I do to show a dog or cat off, I still have those butterflies of excitement thinking, ‘Is this the one that’s going to do it for you?’” Kenny reveals. “It’s bittersweet when they get adopted, because you get a crush on them. But there’s always going to be another one that needs your help.” As long as Kenny continues to spread the word on air and online, Nashville Humane Association animals will continue finding their forever homes.