Orin Benson (1914 – 2005) was an internationally known animal trainer. He made training dogs his life’s work at Benson’s Kennels in Eagle for nearly 70 years. Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Prince Phillip, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Joe Foss, Clayton Moore (the “Lone Ranger”) and many other notables were among his thousands of clients and friends.
Orin traveled the nation many times over, giving memorable performances with his troop of dogs. He also worked with bears, foxes, otters, skunks, hawks and other animals. He was well known for the wolves he kept. He made many wildlife film segments for Walt Disney and was broadcast on television and the radio.
Orin was inducted into the Retriever Field Trial Hall of Fame and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show Hall of Fame. He was instrumental in forming the sports show 65 years ago. He received a citation from the Wisconsin State Senate for his abilities and contributions to society, and he has numerous other accolades for his work.
See a Short Orin Benson Film Here
Produced by Caleb Alexander Peavy
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I just watched the film. My dad was Orin’s head trainer for years. My family lived at the kennel, my younger brother got roughed up by Kepa one day when he got too close. Orin and Lucille were a big part of my life growing up, and yes he played a lot of fun tricks on me and my brothers. The film brought back so many good memories. I’m going to show it to my parents. My father, Floyd, has some dementia. I hope this film rekindles some memories for him. Thank You
We’re glad you enjoyed old memories. Thanks for your wonderful comments!
So happy to have stumbled across this amazing video and story about Orin Benson. My dad (Mike Bronk) was friends with Orin. I grew up down the road. I went to first grade with his adopted son, Bobby. Ironically I married a wolf biologist. Maybe there is something in the water. Orin was obviously ahead of his times, having the ability to understand and respect other life forms. Thank you for preserving this important part of history!
Thanks for sharing with us. We’re happy you enjoyed the video! Our volunteers are working on cataloging volumes of information on Orin Benson, donated by close friends of his. Stay tuned, we will have more in the future.
I enjoyed the video, Caleb did a fantastic job telling the story. At about 45 seconds into the film it shows a small white car in a parade, I now own that very car and am interested in any information about the car when it was owned by Mr. Benson. (1957 Messerschmitt KR201)
Jim
My grandfather, Rudy Baker and his wife Athena, was great friends with Orin. we just watched this video together he told me he remembers Floyd Ackley.. My grandfather had a yellow lab named Andy Orin absolutely adored Orin trained Andy for my grandfather and also used him as a stud.. there is a yellow lab from 3:20-3:30 that my grampa swears could be his dog Andy.. would anyone happen to know who’s dog that was???? This is an absolutely wonderful video regardless and a great tribute to a great person thank you to everyone involved..
Thank you for your comment and we’re happy you enjoyed the video. The car is pretty cool, but we don’t have any additional information at this time.
Thank you for your comment and we are happy you liked the video. At this time, we don’t have an more information of the yellow lab, but perhaps someone out there knows!
I have many fond, 40 year memories of Orin. My dad Bob Distin was a very good friend of Orin’s, and I recall many hunting trips with them in the 1960s & 1970s. Same with hanging around Orin at the Milwaukee Sentinel Sports Show, where my dad had the Shakespeare booth for over 20 years. Orin trained 4-5 of our dogs, and I recall his saying, “Obedient dogs are happy dogs. If they misbehave, it’s usually because they’re frustrated, unhappy, or both.” Orin graciously let me hang out at the kennels sometimes, where I observed his incredible skills & friendship with all kinds of animals. I fondly recall the wolves Kepa & Pake – often times hanging out in the house with Lucille. The last time I was with Orin was 2002 – I sure wish I’d taped that visit. They clearly broke the mold when Orin was made – we’re all richer for having known Orin Benson. RIP, my friend…
I’m glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for sharing your fond memories…
Thank you sharing the video of Orin. As teenagers, my brother Rich Vanderburg and myself work for Orin. Actually there is a picture of my brother Rich hold the Red Tailed hawk with Orin, which I found it on the internet. Once Kepa or Pake , I can’t remember which one, got loose and Orin asked me to fly him around in search of Kepa. I earned my pilots lisc. at an early age. I also remember Floyd Ackly and old Jim, that lived at the kennel. Great memories of both Orin and Lucille. Pete Vanderburg from North Prairie, WI
We are happy you liked the video of Orin Benson and thank you for sharing your memories with us! They add to the story of Orin. Thanks again.
My dad, David M. Duffey, was a good friend of Orin’s, and I loved EVERY trip we made to Eagle to visit him and Lucille and the menagerie of animals!! I played with his wolf, Kepa, many times, and Orin told me Kepa had a particular attachment to me….when we would pull in the driveway, I’d have my eyes glued on the front kennel where Kepa was kept…..he would be hanging in the back of the run….suspicious, as all wolves are….but, when I got out of the car we could see him catch my scent, and he would rush to the front of the kennel, excitedly wagging his tail like any family dog would, wanting to be reunited with a family member….I loved that SO much! There were times Kepa would grab me by the ankle and start to drag me, and I can still hear Orin saying, “He wants to take you off to his den!!” SO many great memories of my childhood took place in that special spot in Eagle, WI. When Orin would come up to visit my us on the lake where we lived about 40 miles northwest of Green Bay, he would always be full of fun and practical jokes! And, we went to the Milwaukee Sports Show every year when we were kids and always loved Orin’s animal interactive show. Such a unique and talented man!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories.
I just came across this article on Mr. Benson. I met him thru my uncle (Ed Jaroch) when I was about 6 or 7 years old. I still have a picture of Mr. Benson, Kepa and myself. Of course, Kepa was only about maybe a year old and still a little skittish. Oren said “Don’t try and pet her, she might bite. But of course, I had to reach and scratch her between her ears. Didn’t get bit! Feel in love that day. Every time I visited my uncle, I begged to go so Kepa. Which we did. To this day I have a deep love and respect for wolves. Actually had a (7/8) wolf back in the mid 70’s. Mother had been hit and killed by a car but a vet managed to save the pups and I was luckly enough to get one. What a joy
Thanks for sharing your memories of Orin Benson. He was truly a unique individual who attracted many people to his gift with animaals.
My parents worked for Oren and Lucille. We lived there from nine years. I was so happy when I came across your film of Oren. I raised three baby foxes for him. I helped a few times when he was field training. So many beautiful memories. I loved Oren and Lucille so much. A lot of my life was shaped by being a part of their lives. I still have pictures of the foxes. And one of a bear taking a tootsie roll from my mouth. Amazing memories ♥️♥️♥️
Thank you for your comments. We’ve had many great comments from people who remember Orin Benson and it’s always nice to hear how he touched thelives of those he met.
Oh my goodness. Found this site by accident.
My dad, Mel Ellis, knew Orin and Lucille. I remember visiting
the wolves. We had a black lab, and 2 Chesapeake’s from Orin.
We lived in Big Bend. My dad wrote “Flight of the White Wolf” about Kepa. It received the Sequoyah Children’s Book Award in 1974.
It was writen in 1970.
So happy I found this.
Thank you for your comments Richard. We appreciate hearing from people who visit our website. It appears your father was a prolific writer with a keen interest in the outdoors. Orin Benson obviously had a great impact on him. In case you missed it on our website, there is more about Orin Benson here : http://eaglehistoricalsociety.org/?s=orin+benson. Thanks again!
Mike Rice
Historian
Eagle Historical Society