John Van Bruggen is a veteran animator who directed the animated portions of Dog City, and since the 1980s, has written and/or directed for many Nelvana productions. Van Bruggen received a Gemini Award nomination for a script for the show "Franklin" (whose voice cast included "Dog City" alums James Rankin and Stephen Ouimette). He has also been involved in many of the movies and specials for that series, writing the most recent feature Back to School with Franklin and the upcoming Franklin and Granny's Secret. Other credits include Maggie and the Ferocious Beast, Jacob Two-Two and Coolman!, which he created with his wife Arna Selznick.