Documentary .

Dogs have been domesticated for longer than any other animal on the planet, and humans have developed a unique relationship with these furry friends. We treat our pets like a part of the family, and we feel that they can understand us in a way other animals cannot. Now, new research is revealing what dog lovers have suspected all along: Dogs have an uncanny ability to read and respond to human emotions. What is surprising, however, is new research showing that humans, in turn, respond to dogs with the same hormone responsible for bonding mothers to their babies. How did this incredible relationship between humans and dogs come to be? And how can dogs, so closely related to fearsome wild wolves, behave so differently? It’s all in the genes. Dogs Decoded investigates new discoveries in genetics that are illuminating the origin of dogs—with revealing implications for the evolution of human culture as well. NOVA also travels to Siberia, where the mystery of dogs’ domestication is being repeated—in foxes. A 50-year-old breeding program is creating an entirely new kind of creature, a tame fox with some surprising similarities to man’s best friend. “Dogs Decoded” reveals the science behind the remarkable bond between humans and their dogs and spurs new questions about what this could mean for our relationships with other animal species.

Watch Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 8pm.

This is the moving story of how a group of 16 women who had been imprisoned and raped by Serb-led forces in the Bosnian town of Foca broke history’s great silence and stepped forward to take the witness stand in an international court of law. Their remarkable courage resulted in a triumphant verdict that led to new international laws about sexual violence in war. Matt Damon narrates.

Watch Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 9pm.

Walker Percy (1916-1990) was a critically acclaimed writer and popular novelist of the late 20th century. Early on, he turned away from his medical training to pursue writing and philosophical questions about the meaning of life and social isolation in the modern age. However, much of his fiction invoked wit, humor and imagination, thereby making his existential search a universal one. His six novels, including The Moviegoer — which won the National Book Award in 1962 — became best-sellers. This program, which profiles a significant Southern writer who often wrote of the South’s traditions and culture, features beautiful cinematography and stylized re-creations and includes interviews with such authors as Richard Ford, Walter Isaacson and Jay Tolson.

Watch Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 10pm.

Watch the full episode. See more Walker Percy: A Documentary Film.

THE TEACHINGS OF JON is an insightful and humorous documentary by Jennifer Owensby about her brother Jon, a 40-year-old man severely and profoundly affected by Down syndrome. Although Jon may never accomplish much by conventional standards — he has an IQ of 20, cannot talk and earns less than $13.00 a year — his greater purpose is to teach others how to love. The program celebrates Jon exactly as he is, rather than focusing on changing Jon to fit into the world. From the opening shot, the film offers an up close and personal look at the realities of living with someone with severe mental retardation. THE TEACHINGS OF JON uncovers how this “family secret,” locked away in an institution for the first seven years of his life, became the family treasure. While entertaining, this inspirational story of one family’s journey is also about honesty and redemption, acceptance and growth that offers hope to others.

Watch Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 2pm & 8pm on KCPT2.