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In a breezy valley north of Los Angeles, Rocco — a dog with credits from Veronica Mars to The Morning Show — still trains and poses, but work is thinning. Trainers say advancing AI lets productions build animal performances in post, squeezing a business already hit by COVID, 2023 strikes and a shrinking industry. Studio Animal Services’ Karin McElhatton and rental owner Benay Karp report steep declines; even horses may be next. PETA welcomes the shift, while coordinators like Bonnie Judd argue real animals deliver irreplaceable emotion. For now, Rocco keeps working — just less.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.