Big news from Disneyland Resort! After six years of dedicated service, Benny, one of their beloved K9 security dogs, is officially retiring. It’s time for this very good boy to swap his harness for endless belly rubs, games of fetch, and quality time with his favorite red rubber ball.
Kevin, Benny’s K9 handler, couldn’t stop beaming about his golden retriever buddy. “He’s a great dog,” Kevin told us. “Very friendly, never aggressive, never barks at other dogs. I might be biased, but he’s one of the best!”
Did you know Disneyland Resort has 28 security dogs on its team? Just like human Cast Members, these K9 heroes get name tags, ID badges, and yes, even retirement parties! Becoming a Disneyland security dog isn’t easy; these pups undergo intense training off-site before earning their certification and heading to The Happiest Place on Earth. It’s a tough job, but they do it with wagging tails.
The Bond Behind the Badge
Kevin’s journey with the K9 unit began as a regular security officer. He then became a kennel tech, looking after the dogs when they weren’t on duty. When a K9 handler position opened, he jumped at the chance. Benny, who joined Disneyland in 2019, needed a new partner after his previous handler left, creating the perfect match.
They didn’t just assign them randomly! Kevin and Benny spent time together to see if they truly ‘clicked.’ Kevin shared, “You work with all the dogs, and then you get paired. The trainer watches to see who connects best with whom. That’s how Benny and I matched. My trainer even asked us individually, ‘If you could pick any dog, who would it be?’ And I immediately said, Benny—he’s the one I want!”
Since then, this incredible duo has worked all over the resort, often guarding the main entrances. There’s a good chance you’ve walked past Benny and Kevin on your way into the magic! These K9 teams work in shifts, spending time ‘on-stage’ with guests and ‘backstage’ for much-needed rest. Kevin always keeps a close eye on Benny, ensuring he gets his breaks and stays happy, even if Benny can’t exactly tell him in words.
Working with Benny truly made every day a good day. Kevin put it perfectly: “It’s hard to have a bad day at work when you’re around Benny. He’s always smiling, always happy. His great mood is contagious!”
Benny’s famous for his smile. Kevin shared, “So many guests would walk by and exclaim, ‘Oh, look at that dog, he’s smiling!’ He just brightened everyone’s day.”
Despite his serious duties, Benny was always “excited all the time!”
Even at nearly nine years old, Kevin recounted, “He was just happy running around. Honestly, he made my job as a handler so easy. I never had to worry about him reacting to other dogs or chasing squirrels. He was always focused, always on point. Horses, other animals? He just ignored them. He was all about his job.”
Kevin joked, “He lives in his own world, and we’re all just existing in it!”
Every Good Boy Deserves a Send-Off
Benny’s retirement party was quite the event! Dozens of security Cast Members gathered to say goodbye to this incredible dog. Everyone wanted a selfie with him, and we all witnessed a truly momentous occasion: Benny’s first-ever hot dog! K9 security dogs follow strict diets, so he’d never even smelled one before. But now, with his very own link, he spent the rest of the party charming everyone, hoping for seconds (or thirds!).
The celebration included a small, heartfelt ceremony. Benny performed one last official car check, sniffing out a mock substance. Once he found it, a shower of tennis balls and cheers erupted! Even amidst the chaos, Benny, ever the professional, went straight for his cherished red chew toy before any of the tennis balls. Clearly, he knows his priorities!
Bright Futures for Kevin and Benny
What’s next for this incredible team? Kevin will soon begin training with a new security dog, who will join Disneyland’s K9 roster. As for Benny, he simply went home with Kevin after his final shift, ready to embrace retirement. Kevin already has another dog, and they’re sure to become fast friends. Kevin humorously mused, “I think he’s going to wake up at five in the morning, expecting to be fed, making sure I’m awake, and ready to eat!”
Benny’s retirement schedule is already packed with exciting outdoor adventures! Kevin can’t wait to take him on hikes and to the beach—places Benny has never experienced. You’ve truly earned this, Benny! Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement.
