ABOUT JOE CAMP

Joe Camp is an animal lover and advocate for increasing awareness of animal issues including adoptions and the proper care of horses as seen above with Mouse one of his herd. She was adopted from the Animal Rescue League. He also works with children's charities. He is a film writer, producer, director, author, public speaker, as well as the creator of canine superstar Benji.

He believes that anything is possible if you work hard enough and have faith in yourself.   Industry "experts" told him not to bother with the original Benji film; that it wouldn't work. He proved them wrong, and now he's at it again with his best selling book, " THE SOUL OF A HORSE: Life Lessons from the Herd " (Harmony; Hardcover; $24.95). It is likely to set long-standing, traditional thinking about horses and their care on it's ear as it becomes a favorite with readers and critics alike.

Joe wrote, produced, and directed seven theatrical motion pictures (including all of the Benji movies) which cumulatively grossed well over the equivalent of $600 million in today's dollars, making him one of the most successful independent filmmakers of all time. He has written three novels from his own screenplays, the inspirational nonfiction book Benji & Me , several children's books and produced, directed and wrote four network television specials and a series.

To produce the original "Benji" movie, Joe raised the money from private sources. When the film was completed, it was turned down by every major film distributor in Hollywood. Joe and his partner then formed their own distribution company and released the picture worldwide. In spite of the many obstacles, Variety reported that the picture was the third highest grossing movie of the year. The fifth Benji movie, Benji Off the Leash, was released in 2004 and is available on DVD.

Joe's newest creation " THE SOUL OF A HORSE is the engaging, emotional, and often humorous story of Joe's and his wife, Kathleen's journey as neophytes searching for logic and sense in the traditional rule books of the horse world. What they found was not what they expected. Monty Roberts, author of the New York Times bestseller The Man Who Listens to Horses , said, "Imagine how inadequate it makes me feel to realize how recently Joe came into horses. The man is a natural when it comes to understanding how animals tick and a genius at telling us their story. The Soul of a Horse is a must-read for those who love animals of any species."

Joe speaks to families, churches, corporations, civic and philanthropic organizations, pet adoption and equine groups as well as students inspiring everyone within earshot to reach beyond any conceived perception of his or her limitations. He spells out the choices that will create success.

Joe is a passionate advocate for animals and brings decades of working closely with dogs into this new venture with horses. His storytelling ability lured us into the heart and soul of a dog and catapulted the original Benji to international stardom. Now he lures us into the heart and soul of a horse. He travels with Benji promoting many charitable organizations including animal adoptions.   The current Benji (the adoption process was chronicled on ABC News and Good Morning America) and the original Benji came from shelters and are credited with over a million animal adoptions.

Joe lives with his wife, Kathleen, their three kids, and their five horses , four dogs including Benji, and two cats on a five-acre hilltop in Valley Center, California, north of San Diego.

If you have questions or would like to schedule an interview please contact Lynn Pittman at 619-542-1898 lynnpittman@cox.net or nancy@thesoulof ahorse.com. Thank you and Have a Great Day!