Jean was with Vitagraph Studios from 1909, and in 1913 went with Trimble to England to work with Florence Turner in her own independent film company.

[1]: 139  In 1909 Trimble visited Vitagraph Studios in New York while doing research for a series of articles called "How Movies Are Made".

As he chatted with the sole assistant working under Rollin S. Sturgeon, head of the scenario department, he learned that a story of special interest to producer Albert E. Smith had been set aside because it required a dog that could act—not simply do tricks, but to behave naturally on command.

[2]: 44 Trimble asked if there were any dogs around, and was told about a stray that hid in the garage and came out only to snatch scraps left by members of the crew.

[1]: 139 "Jean was equal in popularity to Vitagraph's human stars, Florence Turner and Maurice Costello," wrote film historian Anthony Slide.

"I had long curls and they let me play the juvenile lead in two pictures in support of Jean, the collie," Hayes said.