Montreal, QC — Impact Media is proud to announce the start of production on Season 1 of UNITED K9 Beyond the Leash, an original factual series that will bring the entire dog world to audiences in a fresh and dynamic way.

Guided by the tagline “The bond. The challenge. The spirit.”, Beyond the Leash is more than a show about competitions — it’s a bilingual factual series that dives into everything connecting people and dogs.

From the athleticism of French Ring and Schutzhund to the lifesaving efforts of search and rescue teams, Beyond the Leash will go far beyond sport. The series is designed to paint a much bigger picture — one that captures the full spectrum of the dog world. That includes the courage of military and police K9s, the loyalty of service and emotional support dogs, and even the role of dogs in film and television productions. It also shines a light on veterinary health, nutrition, training methods, and the countless professions that revolve around dogs. At its heart, Beyond the Leash is about exploring not only what happens in the ring or in the field, but also the deeper bond that connects people and their four-legged partners across every aspect of life.

An original idea by Patricia Economo, the series is produced, financed, and distributed by Impact Media, with François Garcia and Patricia Economo serving as producers. Paul Batah joins the project as co-producer and on-screen host, guiding audiences through the stories, demonstrations, and expert conversations that make UNITED K9 a one-of-a-kind experience. The project will be broadcast on a variety of streaming platforms to reach audiences across Canada and internationally.

To ensure accessibility, Beyond the Leash will be bilingual, with either French- or English-language editions and subtitled versions, allowing viewers across both linguistic audiences to enjoy the show.

“Beyond the Leash is designed to show it all,” says François Garcia. “The handlers, the trainers, the veterinarians, the nutrition experts, the working teams who put dogs at the center of their mission — this is about giving audiences a panoramic view of the dog world, from heartwarming stories to world-class performance.”

Each episode will feature in-depth interviews with guests and informative segments exploring both the practical and emotional aspects of life with dogs. Viewers will discover the athleticism of competition dogs, the precision of working K9s, the courage of rescue teams, the comfort of service and emotional support animals, and the fascinating roles dogs play in entertainment, from film to television.

“Working on this project is an incredible honor,” says Paul Batah. “As host, my role is to bring the audience closer to these stories — to celebrate not just the spectacle, but the substance, the knowledge, the lifestyle, and the spirit that define the dog world.”

Currently in pre-production, Beyond the Leash Season 1 begins filming on September 13 and is set for release later this year.