Benni's in training to help an autistic child

By Frances Ruth Harris
MILFORD — Benni is not just any sweet, adorable, playful new puppy. This dog has been tasked with a serious mission.
He's just been delivered to Chrisanne Cubby of Milford, who will give him the training he needs to assist and protect an autistic child.
BluePath, a nonprofit founded in 2016, provides service dogs to people with autism. Benni and his siblings were donated by Project 2 Heal, based in North Carolina, which breeds Labrador retriever puppies with the temperament that allows them to perform well as service dogs. The organization focuses on helping veterans and children with autism.
Benni will someday keep a child from bolting, a dangerous behavior exhibited by some youngsters with autism. Parents will suddenly see their child running off, out into traffic or some other hazard, before they can do anything about it. Trips outside the home can therefore be quite scary for autistic children and their parents alike.
Service dogs, like Benni will be someday, are connected to the child by a specially designed tether. Whenever a child bolts, the dog is trained to “anchor” in response, to keep the child out of danger.
For the next 14 to 16 months, Cubby will teach Benni basic obedience and house manners and socialize him to sights and sounds. When he's about 18 months old, Benni will begin training with a professional BluePath instructor. At about 24 months, he'll be matched with a child with autism.
“I’ve always had a love of dogs and know firsthand what a great friend one can be,” said Cubby. “I’ll teach Benni many commands, but most importantly I’ll teach him about the bond between a dog and a human so he can best fulfill his future calling."
More than 3.5 million people in the United States live with an autism spectrum disorder, the fastest-growing developmental disability in the country.
BluePath relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers like Cubby to fulfill its mission.
"I am passionate about making the world a better place — one puppy and one child at a time.”
Online:bluepathservicedogs.org
facebook.org/bluepathservicedogs