Acrobatic show for the ages with an Alberta twist is a hit on ‘America’s Got Talent’

Terry Crews gave an Edmonton dance crew a golden buzzer for their performance with dancing dogs. They get to perform live in California in August.

Days on the acreage are quiet for Jennifer Fraser and her team of dancing dogs, but it wasn’t long ago where her pups wowed the crowd on the set of America’s Got Talent.

“We got a standing ovation from the judges,” Fraser said. “Howie (Mandel) was just shaking his fist. He was so excited. Simon (Cowell) had a huge smile on his face.”

The first episode of the 21st season aired on Tuesday.

Fraser, a world-renowned dog trainer, and Guinness World Record holder, came up with the idea to pair her dogs with the Supernova Acro Dance Studio from Edmonton, for a never seen performance combining tumbling pups and acrobats.

“In show business they always say never work with animals and never work with kids,” Fraser said.. “Well I said, screw that. Let’s put them together on the biggest stage.”

Supernova Acro choreographer Jill Ford says it took some convincing to combine both acts, and in the end was worth it. “Together it’s, it’s pretty magical and just something that people haven’t seen before.” Ford said. “I think that was a huge selling point and why everyone fell in love with it.”

The show-stopping performance earned them the coveted ‘golden buzzer,’ rarely given on the program. They will automatically advance to the live shows in August, bypassing further elimination rounds.

Getting a golden buzzer shocked Acrodog performer and choreographer Zoe Gervais.

“When Terry (Crews) came out, I think you could see it in the younger ones’ faces for sure,” said Gervais. “We were not expecting that at all.”

Fraser says the dancers and dogs will have time to work on something special later this summer for the world to see.

“I’ve got 14 dogs on my team,” Fraser said. “We’re hoping to add new dogs every single round so that you’re going to see something new every time you watch the show.”