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3 months ago
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Beacon the therapy dog has become a behind-the-scenes hero and a source of comfort and support for the USA Gymnastics team—a team that has been championing mental health.
The four-year-old golden retriever, who was unable to attend the Paris Olympics, has been on hand to provide support since the recent U.S. Gymnastics Olympic trials, along with his handler, Tracey Callahan Molnar—a Pasadena resident and former rhythmic gymnastics coach.
In recent years, it has been realized that performance no longer relies solely on a trained physique but also on a prepared mind. To this end, pet therapy offers a plethora of benefits to soothe the minds of competing athletes.
Callahan Molnar told USA Today that Beacon “senses people’s stress and knows how to soothe them.”
The “Goodest Boy,” who has been providing comfort to athletes and coaches at various competitions and training camps since May 2023, was Callahan Molnar’s service animal before she had him certified as a therapy dog through Pet Partners. The 65-year-old drove all the way from Pasadena, California, during peak COVID-19 to pick up an 8-week-old pup from Michigan.
Molnar, who has been associated with USA Gymnastics for over 40 years, enjoys a good relationship with Caroline Hunt, the vice president of the rhythmic gymnastics program at USA Gymnastics. Molnar said Hunt, a former professional athlete, had been thinking of introducing a pet therapy program in her department.
This is Beacon. He's a therapy dog and one of USA Gymnastics' busiest volunteers. He attended the Olympic Trials with a badge that literally says he's the "Goodest Boy." His job is to comfort athletes and coaches, giving them a belly to rub whenever they need it. 14/10 pic.twitter.com/jIPCaw7iya
— WeRateDogs (@dog_rates) July 2, 2024
While many people were excited about the program, others were skeptical. However, Molnar said many of those who were doubtful appreciated the initiative afterward and asked if it would be happening again.
“They saw the benefit,” Molnar said. “They heard their daughters or their gymnasts talk about how much better they felt, how much calmer they felt going onto the competition floor, and they credited being able to spend time with the therapy dogs in advance of the competition.”
Beacon is USAG’s first therapy dog—he even received his own credentials for the trials. USAG hired him part-time to comfort gymnasts and staff, and he has been working tirelessly, sometimes putting in a 15-hour day to do his job.
Shilese Jones, a two-time world champion, injured her knee during vault warmup, while Kayla DiCello, a promising gymnast, withdrew after an Achilles injury. The emotional toll was evident as athletes, including Olympic medallist Suni Lee, struggled to hold back tears. Amid the chaos, Beacon stepped in.
“He will turn on a dime without seeing who it is. He picks up on the stress and will pull to that person immediately,” Molnar told ESPN. Beacon’s role as a therapy dog extends beyond just comforting athletes, and he has become a crucial part of Team USA’s emotional support system! Who wouldn’t love this furry ball of joy?
