Ever have to shield your eyes during a movie because of the drama on screen? If you're like me, the scenes that make you turn away usually involve animals ... wounded horses on a Civil War battlefield, freezing sled dogs at the North Pole, the "mad elephant" scene in "Dumbo" (wait -- that one doesn't count).

No matter how harrowing the on-screen animal action, if you see the American Humane Association's "No Animals Were Harmed" disclaimer at the end of the film, you can rest assured that the scary stuff you watched was only movie magic.

I learned more about that distinction at the American Humane conference last week, and got some cool behind-the-scenes movie scoop from Certified Animal Safety Representative Susan Jackson.

Since 1940, the sole purpose of American Humane's Film & Television Unit has been to ensure the safety and well-being of animals used in the entertainment industry. Alpacas, chickens, tigers, raccoons -- no matter what the animal, American Humane is ready to be on set, "caring for an interesting breed of actor."

Jackson just finished up working on the Baltimore set of Russell Crowe's latest film, "Body of Lies."

The story called for Crowe's character's miniature poodle to appear briefly on screen, but the fame-hungry pup improvised his way onto Crowe's lap for more screen time. (During our conversation, Jackson dropped bold-face tabloid names like they were old friends ("Leonardo," anyone?) -- I was impressed!)

I had the pleasure of working with Animal Safety Representative Sandi Buck during the filming of last year's Animal Planet Puppy Bowl. We had a great working relationship on set, and we both relished our time hanging out with the puppy players!

The American Humane Film & TV Unit supervises over 1,000 productions annually, both domestically and internationally, making sure that the fuzzy, feathered and finned actors get the care and attention they deserve.