SINGAPORE - “Your dog might only be part of your life, but to him, you are everything.” Dogs are man’s best friend. To 58-year-old Evelyn Chiang, her dog Benji, is more than that. He gave her the strength to live.
In 2009, Evelyn felt as though her entire world came crashing down when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She recalled, “It was one of the worst periods of my life.” Evelyn fought through six cycles of chemotherapy and one month of radiotherapy before she was on her way to recovery.
All this would not have been possible without her special friend and family member, Benji.
Benji is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that came into Evelyn’s life when he was just two months old.
Whenever Evelyn cries, Benji will always be there to lick her tears dry. “Benji will stare at me whenever I feel sad, it seems as though he is trying to comfort me and telling me that everything will be alright using his own methods.”
Unfortunately, three years later, cancer found its way back into Evelyn’s life. But this time, it targeted poor Benji. The veterinarian found a tumour near his stomach. Having undergone chemotherapy herself, Evelyn is fully aware of the distress caused. Even with chemotherapy, there is no guarantee of recovery. Seeing Benji running around happily, Evelyn chose not to put Benji through the sufferings of treatment and let nature take its course.
Benji survived, 5 years and counting.
Today, Benji’s tiny figure is well-known across hospitals, orphanages and even old folks’ homes. Clad in a mini fedora and a bright blue scarf, Benji visits people of all ages and keep them company, showering them with the care and support they need.
Benji is a certified therapy dog.
It all happened when Evelyn came across Pet-Assisted Therapy (PAT) two years ago and made the decision to share the same support Benji gave her with the socially disadvantaged.
To qualify as a certified therapy dog, Benji has to undergo a series of tests focusing on the dog’s temperament and ability to follow instructions.
As a therapy dog, it is Benji’s duty is to provide people with physical, social and emotional needs, whichever deemed necessary.
For the past two years, Benji has been going around and lighting up faces.
The Dream
At 14 years old, Benji is well past his prime. In recent years, his health has been deteriorating with age. Despite beating the odds that dogs of his breed- that have a lifespan of less than 10 years- inevitably, Benji’s life will have to come to an end eventually.
Evelyn’s dream is to adopt a potential therapy dog to accompany Benji for his remaining days, and also to inherit Benji's legacy.
Evelyn realizes how Pet-Assisted Therapy can make a difference in others’ lives, and she hopes that through PAT, she can do her part and contribute to society.
The Challenge
A therapy dog is born, not made. One can teach a dog to behave, but it is almost impossible to completely alter a dog’s inherent temperament. Hence, finding a dog with outstanding temperament that matches the requirements to become a therapy dog poses a challenge.
Most dogs end up in shelters because of abuse, abandonment or negligence, which means that many of them suffer from psychological trauma and this affects how they can be trained in future. This makes Evelyn’s already stringent quest in finding a potential therapy dog even more exhausting.
Benji met a total of four friends from the shelter. Who can pass the therapy dog test and become Benji’s companion? Watch the video to find out.
For more stories on “Live Your Dream”, please visit: www.zaobao.com/zvideos/live-y
About "Live Your Dream"
"Live Your Dream"(完成一个梦) is one of 10 SPH-produced short-form digital video series as part of a pilot Public Service Broadcast initiative. In this 13 episode series, host Ken Low Yong Kian (Digital Content Producer, Chinese Media Group Digital) will try his best to fulfil people's dreams no matter how challenging it may be. All episodes come with English subtitles.
This series is also available on zaobao.sg website, as well as the mobile app.