Meet the woman keeping the adorable pups happy at this years Puppy Bowl

If you tune into the “Puppy Bowl” on Sunday, you’ll likely see a key person’s influence — even if you don’t actually see her.Victoria Schade is a dog trainer and novelist who’s the show’s lead puppy trainer and wrangler.She’s the one making sure the shelter pups have a conflict-free contest and that they’re captured at their most adorable — all from off-camera.It is Schade who gets the puppies to look up during the “The Star-Spangled Banner” or run through a tunnel to get to the field for the starting lineups.

She’s on the lookout for possible conflicts or nervous dogs.“My responsibilities include ensuring puppy happiness and safety during gameplay,” she says.“So if there’s any moment where a puppy looks like they’re overwhelmed or they just need a break, I’ll step out and give them a little break on the sideline.”Schade has been working with the doggies on the Animal Planet show for 19 years and is believed to be the longest serving member of the “Puppy Bowl” crew.

She also works the kitten halftime show and calls filming both her favorite week of the year.“I think she is one of the most dedicated, hardest working people out there in the business,” says “Puppy Bowl” referee Dan Schachner, now in his 14th year.“She doesn’t ever seem to run out of energy.

She never says no to a request and there’s always brightness and sunshine from her with every step.”Schade has coached hundreds of dogs over the years but never adopted one from the show — until now.She took home Boris — known on the show as Mr.

Pickles — from Dallas Dog rescue. “I saw star quality.So this was the year,” she says.Early on, Schade was responsible for recruiting and selecting the puppies, a task now that leans on animal rescue groups and shelters throughout the country.

These days, she’s the lead trainer.“If you’re seeing the puppy looking up at the camera, I’m typically right there with the treat,” she says.�...