What happened to Kirk Herbstreit’s dog? Beloved Ben ‘getting worse’ after undergoing cancer treatment
There’s a furry friend that everyone is rooting for in college football.
Kirk Herbstreit has been a mainstay on the NCAA football scene for nearly 30 years now. The former Ohio State quarterback is a regular on ESPN’s “College GameDay” and is known for his work on television, including as the lead analyst for Amazon’s “Thursday Night Football” NFL broadcasts.
However, he isn’t the only member of the Herbstreit family in the spotlight. This season, Herbstreit’s dog, Ben, has been stealing the show during Saturdays in the fall. The golden retriever has been a frequent visitor to college football stadiums all over the country in 2024.
The unfortunate news is that Ben is in a battle with cancer. Herbstreit posted an update earlier in the week ahead of Week 11 in the NCAA detailing his dog’s health condition.
Here’s more to know about Ben and his battle with cancer.
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What happened to Kirk Herbstreit’s dog?
Herbstreit’s dog, Ben, is in a battle with cancer. In March of this year, he was diagnosed with leukemia, which is a disease that causes blood-forming tissues that reduce the body’s ability to fight infection. It’s a rare disease for dogs to contract, and it’s dubbed a “silent killer” due to the difficulty of recognizing the symptoms before the cancer has become advanced in canines, according to Animal Referral and Emergency Network.
According to Herbstreit, Ben had to undergo major surgery in July to remove two cancerous masses, one on his spleen and one on his intestine. Now, he is undergoing chemo injections, with the most recent one coming on Oct. 23.
However, the dog’s condition is “getting worse.”
I’ve had so many people asking me about Ben that I wanted to let you know-Ben had a 2nd chemo injection on October 23rd and from that day has been getting worse and worse. He has lost use of his back legs-almost like they’re paralyzed. He can barely walk. He hasn’t eaten in 3… pic.twitter.com/NTjX8Xc1zb
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 5, 2024
“Ben had a [second] chemo injection on October 23rd and from that day has been getting worse and worse,” Herbstreit wrote in a social media post on Tuesday, Nov. 4. “He has lost use of his back legs — almost like they’re paralyzed. He can barely walk. He hasn’t eaten in 3 days. I’m currently in Pennsylvania with a holistic [doctor] who is administering a 3 day Vitamin C IV, hoping it will flush the toxins from his body and give him a chance.
“The next 24-48 hours will tell us if he has a chance or not. I’m so thankful for ALL the love so many have shown him over the last couple years. One of the hardest things I’ve gone through in my life. Ben is my best friend and companion. I love him with all of my heart. If you’re a spiritual person I’d love for you to pray for my boy.”
How old is Ben Herbstreit?
Ben is a 10-year-old golden retriever.
He is the oldest of four golden retrievers that the Herbstreit family owns.
How long has Kirk Herbstreit had dog Ben?
Herbstreit got Ben 10 years ago when he was just a pup, but golden retrievers have been a mainstay with the ESPN analyst throughout his life. He told the Associated Press in 2023 that his family got their first one in 1985 when he was a sophomore in high school.
Ben is the one of Herbstreit’s current group of four, along with Theo (7), Mitch (4), and Peter (1). They all came from the same breeder in New Jersey.
The family dog’s first appearance alongside the analyst was in 2021 when Ben appeared during a “College GameDay” show between Cincinnati and Tulsa. However, he became a regular travel companion of Herbstreit’s during the 2023 season after his son, Zak Herbstreit, was hospitalized for a heart condition. Ben acted as an emotional support animal for Herbstreit and his family, and that has continued into 2024.
Ben is typically seen off his leash, roaming around by Herbstreit’s side. He has gotten the chance to appear at a number of high-profile games, including the 2023 National Championship between Michigan and Washington.
Freshly groomed and ready for the National Championship! @UMichFootball @UW_Football @CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/T3eRHd99CV
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) January 4, 2024
Ben stopped by the GameDay desk during the show 🐶😆 pic.twitter.com/1SVxhMyuIn
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 28, 2024
We’re locked in pic.twitter.com/BZMUSajrfh
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 19, 2024
Ben meets Bevo pic.twitter.com/9rpaqm9VLL
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 19, 2024
A few more Pregame Ben Highlights pic.twitter.com/qDP268UeUw
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 19, 2024
Casually walks into the stadium at one of biggest games of the year in Austin, with a “who’s who” on the field and just takes it in. I will never take these moments with him for granted. Special guy. pic.twitter.com/wCQKAuYWNn
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 21, 2024
Ben making an early morning SportsCenter appearance this morning in Bloomington!!! 😂🐶 pic.twitter.com/KDktTaRdy4
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 26, 2024
Benny is getting taken care of this morning pic.twitter.com/aSG0VQ9eFe
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 26, 2024
Is Ben Herbstreit a certified service dog?
Yes, Ben is a certified emotional service dog.
Herbstreit said in a 2023 Instagram post that while Ben has been acting as a service dog his entire life, it became official last year.