With the Olympics approaching, athletes tend to experience heightened stress and anxiety. Thus, USA Gymnastics has introduced therapy dogs to the team to help with their mental health. The canines are a must at major events, providing much-needed comfort to the participants. The pups are not only popular with the gymnasts but are also loved by the judges and coaches present at the event.
Therapy dogs help USA Gymnastics with athletes’ mental health during Olympic trials
Last year, USA Gymnastics welcomed its first therapy dog, Golden Retriever Beacon. The canine was made part of the team at the suggestion of Caroline Hunter, head of the rhythmic gymnastics program, and Li Li Leung, chief executive. According to AP News, they advocated for it for several years before he was added to the team.
Beacon is only four years old but takes his duty of destressing the athletes very seriously. He participates in several USA Gymnastics programs and will be at the Olympic trials. Gymnast Joscelyn Roberson told the New York Times, “…this is the best thing that USA Gymnastics can do for us.”
The therapy dog’s handler, Tracey Callahan Molnar, used to be a rhythmic gymnast. She has also been a coach for quite some time. The duo volunteers at the California Institute of Technology and a hospital. Beacon is Molnar’s service dog, and she couldn’t imagine a life without him. However, she also wanted to spread the joy the pup brought into her life.
The former rhythmic gymnast got the Golden Retriever when he was a puppy. They enrolled him in a therapy dog training school. Soon after, she pitched the idea of bringing him along to events. Leung loved the idea because her Siberian Husky, Suma, is also a therapy dog and will be present at the Olympic trials.
In addition to USA Gymnastics, USA Swimming has also introduced therapy dogs to its team. About 60 canines are working with the athletes, and one was recently made an honorary member after he was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. As there will be close to 300 participants at the Olympics trial, USA Gymnastics will also be working with local therapy dog organizations to help reduce stress and anxiety levels at the event.
