National Balloon Innovator Brings 'Pet Balloons' to Mamaroneck Shop

The man behind the explosion of balloons at 16 NFL Super Bowl games and national U.S. political conventions every year since 1988—including two presidential inaugurations—made a special appearance at Mamaroneck’s Balloon World yesterday.

Treb Heining—the man who invented the packed balloon arch that adorns every finish line at marathon events the world over—paid a visit to Balloon World after a friend of his saw Heining’s products lining the walls of the shop.

Heining’s latest creation, My Own Pet Balloon, boasts 27 varieties of lifelike balloon animals that can hop, gallop and be walked on a leash. The balloons have appeared on the Today Show and Balloon World was one of the first locations to carry the specialty item.

“The innovation really is the blending of the helium and the weight of the balloon, so there’s just enough [helium] in it that keeps it on the ground and yet, it’s enough so that it still walks along the ground,” said Heining.

In addition to their potential for unlimited fun, Heining proved that balloons could be used to further a good cause.

Earlier in the day, Times Square was flooded with approximately 1,000 of Heining’s balloons, each of which were tagged with information on Canines for Disabled Kids (CDK), a non-profit organization “connecting children with disabilities to canine-assistance programs and resources.”

At the news conference following the balloon release, a disabled child demonstrated how her service dog helped her to remain independent. In a symbolic gesture of the joining of causes, one of Heining’s pet dog balloons was introduced to the girl’s service dog, which, in turn, was so well trained, that it started to walk along with Heining’s creation.

“It was great. . .we all went out to Times Square and we passed out the My Own Pet product and everybody had a ball doing that, because all of a sudden you saw all of Times Square filled with people walking these pets everywhere,” said Heining.

For every one of the balloons purchased on the My Own Pet Balloon site for $14.95, Heining’s company will donate $5 to CDK.

In addition, this winter will mark the 20^th anniversary that Heining has dropped 3,000 pounds of confetti on Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

When asked how it felt to be the go-to guy for such prominent events in American culture, Heining offered an honest reply.

“I got to tell you, I would lie to you if I told you it wasn’t the greatest kick in the world,” he said, grinning from ear to ear.

Balloon World owner Rob Toneatti, 60, gives his professional take on Heining’s latest creation.

“I’ve been selling balloons for 35 years, this is the best balloon that I’ve ever seen and the hottest; people love it,” he said of the My Own Pet collection.

Balloon World has been the go-to spot for balloons on Mamaroneck Avenue since it opened 12 years ago. They are selling the pet balloons for $15.99 apiece, plus free helium refills.

“We’ve been selling things like this for many years, but this is the first time they made it really well,” added Toneatti.

According to Toneatti, My Own Pet Balloons are expected to become a permanent fixture at his shop.

Balloon World Store Manager Paola Reyes was also on hand for the event.

“I’m very excited, because [Heining] is the god of balloons,” she said, quoting a nickname given to Heining.