Green Apple Entertainment Proudly Presents Susie’s Hope

The motion picture Susie’s Hope – which portrays the real-life story of a pit bull-attack survivor, a brutally abused, pit bull-mix puppy and their journey to heal and forgive together – will be available on DVD Jan. 5 from Green Apple Entertainment.

Based on a touching, true story that led to the successful passing of Susie’s Law in North Carolina – which seeks stricter punishment for animal abusers – Susie’s Hope brings to life the inspirational relationship between pit bull-attack survivor Donna Lawrence and a pit bull-mix puppy found beaten, burned and left to die.

The eight-week-old puppy had licked the face of her owner’s newborn baby and, for the offense, was beaten so severely that her jaw was broken and her teeth knocked out. She was then set on fire and left for dead. Ten days later, the puppy was discovered in a Greensboro, N.C., park, barely alive.  She was suffering from second- and third-degree burns over 60 percent of her tiny body—leaving the young animal with egregious injuries that would cause permanent damage and scars across her back and with her ears burned beyond recognition.

Realizing neglect and abuse were to blame for the tragic pit bull attack that Donna had endured just 10 months earlier – which nearly claimed her life, caused her to miscarry her baby and left her with the inability to have children – Donna rescues the puppy, naming her Susie.

Despite a veterinarian’s recommendation to euthanize the critically injured puppy, Donna raises the funds for Susie’s extensive treatment (daily over the course of two months) and – despite objections from family and friends – welcomes Susie into her home. Together, they learn to heal and forgive as they lead a historic effort to seek justice and protection, not only for Susie, but for all animals, in this incredible story of love, loss and redemption.

Directed byJerry Rees(Disney’s California Adventure TV special, The Marrying Man, The Brave Little Toaster), Susie’s Hope stars Emmanuelle Vaugier (ABC’s Mistresses, WB’s Two and a Half Men, CBS’ CSI: NY, Saw II, Secondhand Lions, 40 Days and 40 Nights), Burgess Jenkins (CBS’ The Young and the Restless, Lifetime’s Army Wives, The Reaping, Remember the Titans) and Andrea Powell (Ender’s Game, The Twilight: Breaking Dawn Saga: Part 2, Get Low, The Legend of Bagger Vance).

The Susie’s Hope soundtrack features recordings by Charlie Daniels (“Susie Q”) and Vince Gill (“Wake up Little Susie”).


A Dove Foundation family-approved film, Susie’s Hope will be carried in Walmart stores across the nation and is also available via Amazon.com and select digital retail outlets.

A portion of the proceeds from DVD sales benefits the Susie’s Hope Nonprofit, a 501(c)(3) charity, to foster awareness of the animal abuse that exists in our nation and to work to end this epidemic by providing education to people of all ages. Together, Donna and Susie attend events and visit schools, churches and other organizations. The charity also produces life-like Susie’s Hope plush animals with embroidered scars (carried by Toys & Company), which serve as an educational tool.  Susie is the 2014 American Humane Association Therapy Dog and the 2014 American Humane Association Hero Dog.

Susie’s Hopeis presented in widescreen with an aspect ratio of 16 x 9 (1.78:1) and 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound. A production of Susie’s Hope Movie, LLC, in association with Stone’s Throw Films and ALTAIR Casting and Productions Services, distributed by Green Apple Entertainment.