Beacon, the therapy dog melts hearts at USA Gymnastics
Beacon is a golden retriever dog who serves as a therapist for athletes at the Olympic Games. "To be honest, I prefer watching him over the Olympics," reads the comments.
29 July 2024 17:01
Beacon is the first therapy dog to join USA Gymnastics. He supports the coaching staff and gymnasts. He participated in the Olympic qualifiers in Minneapolis, and the video featuring him went viral.
"The fact that he has his Olympic accreditation around his neck means everything," "To be honest, I prefer watching him over the Olympics," and "Give him the gold," - we read in the comments.
He is the first therapy dog. The video featuring him went viral
Beacon is not an ordinary dog. The four-year-old golden retriever is the first therapy dog in the history of American artistic gymnastics. He has special qualifications and was hired to minimize the stress, pressure, and tension accompanying competitions qualifying for the Olympics.
Beacon's owner is Tracey Callahan Molnar, a former gymnast. She proposed introducing a therapy dog to the team and claimed that the four-legged friend acts like medicine for the athletes.
Furry Happiness Officer
Athletes representing the United States in artistic gymnastics unanimously admit that the dog's presence calms and encourages them.
"One of the gymnasts suggested, [Beacon] should be the CHO, Callahan Molnar said. "That would be the Chief Happiness Officer. Just to listen to some of the gymnasts talk about it, it’s a healthy distraction. It gets their mind off of the intensity of the stress of their competition," says Beacon's caretaker.
Videos featuring the dog have been watched several million times. Internet users did not hide their admiration. "I love it... Good move by the athlete's mental health commission," "He better get all three medals," "He should get the gold," and "To be honest, I prefer watching him over the Olympics"—we read in the comments.
