"How do you do that?"

"Where did you learn how to do that?"

These are questions Jared Doss is used to by now, having done the ‘Balloon Guy' gig for a little over a year.

"What are you making?" is another very popular question asked of Doss, until suddenly, out of a seemingly endless tether of balloons, he creates a giraffe, a whale, a tiger, or whatever else may be requested of him.

"What could we make with this donut-shaped balloon?" Doss asked 4-year-old Kristi Berger at The Ranger's Santa Claus Gift Exchange event Nov. 12 at Freighthouse Square in Tacoma. "A donut!" exclaimed little Kristi. "How about a metal detector?" asked Doss, who then constructed a very believable-looking metal detector out of an assortment of balloons.

Doss was first inspired to become a balloon artist when he met Chuck Henry, a professional clown and balloon artist, at a battalion Organization Day in 2010 shortly before he deployed to Iraq.  Henry generously lent his time teaching Doss what he knew about balloon artistry.  After learning enough to get started, Doss purchased a balloon kit - mainly, a duffel bag full of more than 1,000 balloons of many different shapes and sizes - and struck out on his own.

"I originally went to school for primary special education, and this is another great way to positively affect a kid's life," said Doss.

Watching him at work, it quickly becomes evident that his creations bring smiles to the children (and adults) who are lucky enough to meet "The Balloon Guy."

In addition to working a variety of special occasions, Doss also volunteers his time at various non-profit events and has visited patients at Madigan Healthcare System, been involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and worked with many other children's benefit organizations.

When asked about any particular events that have stood out in his experience as a balloon artist, Doss shared a story of a little girl he met through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. "I met this little girl diagnosed with cancer," Doss said. "It was her wish to go to Hawaii.  She had even learned how to do some hula dancing," he continued.  "However, she was too sick to travel, so we brought Hawaii to her, and decorated her elementary school with balloon monkeys and palm trees, even putting on a luau in her classroom.  That was certainly one of the best experiences I've had since becoming a balloon artist."

No doubt there are many more to come for Jared Doss, "The Balloon Guy."

To contact Doss, e-mail jaredtheballoonguy@gmail.com call (253) 778-0956.

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