On Eyewitness News Live at Five we told you about a program called Canine
Companions.
The puppies begin their training to become helpers for people with disabilities
when they are about eight weeks old.
News Specialist, Carole Mikita, continues the story of one of the youngest
children ever to receive a canine companion.
Just last year, Benjamin Ballam had his dream come true.
Canine Companions for Independence gave him a dog.
And now, he and his mom and Tennessee have become a team.
This is the story of a little boy named Benjamin, and a dog named
Tennessee.
"Everyone thinks it's a boy... but it's a girl," Benjamin says of Tennessee.
Benjamin's mother, Laurie Ballam, says, "When Ben was about two, he saw a
special on television about helper dogs. So we began investigating different
companies."
Benjamin is one of the youngest children to get a companion dog. He
remembers a couple of months ago, when they met.
"Whatever they send you, that means you can keep the dog. And I was so excited
that I could keep the dog! I couldn't stop screaming or anything. I was so
excited!"
There are 60 possible commands for Tennessee to follow.
Benjamin and Tennessee were doing very well, but the coordinators say they
wanted them to do one more thing. They call it the ultimate test-- Disneyland.
The excitement builds for both boy and dog. The question is, can Ben handle
Tennessee in a large crowd? Will she hear and obey Ben's commands?
And what will Tennessee think of the larger-than-life characters?
Next, it was onto the rides. Wherever Benjamin goes, Tennessee goes. They
both liked "It's A Small World,"
and the adventure of riding the monorail.
However, "Pirates Of The Caribbean" was a bit much for both. Benjamin was
frightened. Tennessee was simply relieved to be off.
And yes, they passed the ultimate test.
So, the next step was back home to Logan, where life is as normal as it is for
most six-year-olds.
Benjamin catches the school bus and his mom and Tennessee meet him in his
kindergarten class. The dog is there to help, not to play. Some of Ben's
classmates sometimes forget that.
Ben says, "I have to keep a sign on the dog that says 'Please do not pet, I'm
working.'"
Ben's father, Michael Ballam says, "We have no challenges emotionally with
Ben's disabilities. We love and we care for him and it's great. It's an honor
to have him in our home. Having Tennessee here, as well, has been an added
blessing for us."
At night, Tennessee helps Ben get undressed. Off come the pants and the
socks and, once Ben rolls into bed, he calls for his companion-- now his
friend-- and together, they sleep.
Benjamin's parents say the other wonderful part of this relationship is
that for the first time in his life, Ben is responsible for another living
being.
