News

Frank Inn is not a name that was known widely, but it was known well in Hollywood circles, especially when it came to those needing the services of animal actors. Frank Inn trained the famous Benji, and he had a hand in training thousands of other screen animals, including Lassie, Arnold the Pig from “Green Acres,” Tramp from "My Three Sons" and Rhubarb the cat.

It’s a little-known fact that Higgins the dog, who was on the "Petticoat Junction" TV show for seven years, was the same cute mutt that found big screen fame as Benji. Inn adopted the dog from the Burbank Animal Shelter in 1960.

Inn died on July 27, 2002 in Sylmar, CA at age 86. For him it was a homegoing as he had a strong faith in Jesus Christ. During his career he captured more than 40 Patsy Awards, given by the American Humane Association.

In the April 1999 issue of Full Gospel Business Men's Voice magazine, Inn shared the story of his Christian faith.

His father was a Quaker minister, but young Frank was not an avid believer. Tiring of the rigors of being a pastor’s son, including three church services on Sunday, he left his Mooresville, Indiana home and got work on a farm. Later, the young man decided to head west and his father made him promise he would take his Bible with him.

After a few years, Inn returned home, and he brought his Bible because he thought it would please his father that he still had it. His father asked if he had been reading it, and the young Frank Inn lied and said he had. His father then asked him to open it to John 3:16, and when he did he found a $10 bill there. It was money that would have come in handy when he was down and out, he said, had he actually read his Bible and known it was there.

Later, after he was married his wife Juanita suggested he get baptized. Inn said, “I went to our minister and said I’d like to be baptized. I gave myself to the Lord and have been living for Him ever since.”

Inn spent most of his life helping both animals and people. He was active in a wide range of organizations, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Starlight Foundation, Toys for Tots and many others. In the Vision article he said, “God has been good to me. That’s the reason I help handicapped people.”

In his later years his own activity was restricted due to declining health, and he was limited to praying for others. He said, “I have a habit of praying… for those in our church that are sick, the old people, and ones that need help. My prayers are mostly asking God to show me how I can help others.”

His wife of 50 years, Juanita, preceded him in death. In the Vision article Inn said, “She was a good Christian woman, so I look forward to being with her again one day.”

The New York Times reported that Inn left instructions that the ashes of Benji were to be buried in the lining of his coffin.

Frank Inn, Benji's "Dad"