Washington’s Amanda Giese helps more animals in need as ‘Amanda to the Rescue’ begins Season 2 (2024)

The Northwest has seen its share of reality TV stars. But Amanda Giese, the Washougal, Washington-based star of “Amanda to the Rescue,” is the only one who manages to juggle raising two teen-agers, caring for dogs with special needs, and operating a nonprofit dedicated to helping animals who have medical or other issues find homes.

“We have pretty much wrapped up the majority of filming for Season 2,” Giese says by phone from her Washougal home base. “But we have definitely not slowed down.”

As she talks, Giese says, she is surrounded by dogs she’s caring for, as she helps them get well enough to be ready to be adopted. And Giese, 36, has her own “pack,” including dogs Groot, Garnet and Bullfrog, who each have their own medical conditions.

While viewers of the Animal Planet show met some of Giese’s menagerie in the first season, Season 2 brings changes.

Giese still operates Panda Paws Rescue, a nonprofit that provides rescue, rehabilitation and hospice services for animals. And as the first episode of Season 2 shows, Giese is still working with veterinary professionals, who treat dogs suffering from major medical issues.

But, as Giese notes in the season opener, she and her former partner are no longer together. And her son, Bradon (nicknamed “Beast”), and daughter, Jade, are playing bigger roles in the family rescue operation.

“The kids definitely step up,” Giese says, over the phone. “They’re taking on a lot more responsibility with the rescue, and the animals. The three of us are like three peas in a pod. They really have enjoyed filming this year.”

The first episode of Season 2 also finds Groot, who has a neurological disorder, suffering from seizures.

But despite those changes on the domestic front, Giese says, “I’m in the best place in my life that I’ve ever been.”

As she talks on the phone, Giese says that Groot is “doing OK right now. He’s lying right next to me, snoring.”

When she found out late last year that “Amanda to the Rescue” was being renewed, Giese says, “My whole view on that was, if it’s successful, and the viewers love it, then let’s not make drastic changes. For me, I just really wanted to continue to have a good balance of laughter, and love. I wanted to continue doing what I do, and show it, documentary style.”

Giese says “Amanda to the Rescue” is “100 percent true to what happens here.”

To that end, she says, Season 2 viewers will see a crossover episode with the Animal Planet series, “Pit Bulls & Parolees,” in which Giese goes to New Orleans to team up with “Pit Bulls & Parolees” star Tia Torres, to help a dog who has suffered an injury after being shot.

Giese says the new season will also include the reality of her getting “really sick,” and of what steps members of the film crew have to take to continue her mission.

“I didn’t want that cut out,” she says. “You’ll see the real life of rescue, behind the scenes.”

The 10-episode second season began filming earlier this year. In addition to making the show, Giese has been going though some physical changes.

“I’ve lost about 35 pounds in the last 12 months,” she says, “and added a bunch of muscle.”

While sharing personal details in public isn’t necessarily easy, Giese says, she doesn’t mind showing that she’s “vulnerable,” like so many other people are.

“I have this platform, and I want to utilize this platform to remind people that I’m human, just like you, and we all go through struggles.”

Despite the higher profile the show has given her, Giese says that Panda Paws Rescue still relies on public donations to help cover costs associated with medical procedures for the animals, and other expenses.

“I never really thought about having a TV show,” Giese says. “But I love the aspect of education, really making a change. We’ve won a couple of awards,” she says, including the Humane Society’s 2019 Genesis Award for Outstanding Reality Series.

In Season 2, “Amanda to the Rescue” airs on Saturday nights, as part of a lineup Giese says makes her proud.

“Growing up,” Giese says, her role models for animal welfare were the men she saw on TV shows, like the late Steve Irwin, star of “The Crocodile Hunter.”

“I’m really excited,” Giese says, that the Saturday night Animal Planet lineup features three shows that spotlight work being done by females.

At 8 p.m., “Crikey! It’s the Irwins,” features Steve Irwin’s widow, Terri, and their children, Bindi and Robert. “Pit Bulls and Parolees,” at 9 p.m., follows Tia Torres, pit bull trainer and founder of a major rescue facility for pit bulls. Giese’s show rounds out the evening, at 10 p.m.

Her fellow hosts, Giese says, are “great role models,” both for families with animals, and children who may not be able to have pets as they grow up, but who can learn about animals, and how to care for them.

“To be a part of that lineup is very humbling,” says Giese.

More of our “Amanda to the Rescue” coverage:

‘Amanda to the Rescue’: 5 tips about pets from Washington’s Animal Planet star

Dogs in crisis get a second chance on Animal Planet’s ‘Amanda to the Rescue’

Season 2 of “Amanda to the Rescue” premieres at 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, on Animal Planet; to catch up on Season 1, go to Amazon Prime Video: https://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Rescue-Season-1/dp/B07JPKTR8K

-- Kristi Turnquist

kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist

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