- Beacon, a golden retriever therapy dog, was on hand to offer support to anyone who needed it at the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials.
- “Proud doesn't even begin to describe how I feel,” the puppy's owner, Tracy Callahan Molnar, said in an Instagram post about her dog's performance at the event.
- USA Gymnastics told People magazine it is working to bring Beacon to the Olympics in 2024.
During the recent USA Gymnastics (USAG) Olympic Trials ahead of the Paris Olympics, a special person was on hand to support the talented men and women gymnasts.
Beacon, a 4-year-old golden retriever, is USAG's first therapy dog and is uniquely qualified for the trials. USAG hired him part-time to provide comfort to gymnasts and staff. Beacon's role was crucial at the Minneapolis trials, where gymnasts competed for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team in Paris.
According to ESPN, Beacon, who holds the title of USAG team's “Most Outstanding Dog,” participated in the trials, which took place from June 27 to 30, with his handler, Tracy Callahan Molnar, who has had Beacon since he was a puppy. Before being certified as a therapy dog through Pet Partners, Beacon was Callahan Molnar's service dog, according to the outlet.
Golden Dog Beacon/Instagram
Callahan Molnar told ESPN what difference the beacon's presence can make: “Scientific evidence shows that just petting a dog or seeing someone else petting a dog can lower blood pressure and anxiety, increase the happy hormones serotonin and dopamine, and lower cortisol levels.”
The former gymnast and coach added that, naturally, the presence of the Beacon is much appreciated at events like the preliminaries.
“Everybody wants to say hi and he wants to say hi to everybody. It takes him 20 minutes to get there, but it's not that far,” Callahan Molnar said.
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Golden Dog Beacon/Instagram
Beacon is so beloved that one gymnast suggested he be promoted. [Beacon] “The chief happiness officer should be the CHO,” Callahan Molnar told NEXSTAR. “The chief happiness officer is the CHO.”
While U.S. sports fans know which gymnasts will represent the U.S. at the Paris Olympics, it's unclear whether Beacon will compete with them in France.
“We are currently investigating whether he will be able to travel to Paris, and as you can imagine, it's a bit complicated,” a USAG representative said in a statement to PEOPLE.
The Team USA men's gymnastics squad was selected at the end of preliminaries on Saturday, with Fred Richards and Brodie Malone leading the team, while the women's competition concluded on Sunday, with Simone Biles and Suni Lee named to Team USA.
Callahan Molnar shared an emotional message on Beacon's Instagram at the end of the trial, along with a montage of photos and videos.
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“There are so many emotions bubbling up here. It has been a great privilege for Beacon and me to spend time with and support these incredible gymnasts and their coaches, each and every one of them. We have had a front row seat to witness their dedication to excellence and the collaborative efforts they put in to get there,” the post read.
“We are proud of USA Gymnastics for bringing pet therapy to the sport and not just bringing it but truly embracing and supporting it. We are so grateful. And Beacon? Proud doesn't even begin to describe how I feel. Whether or not these gymnasts make the 2024 US Olympic Team, this is Team USA and we are honored to be a part of it,” the message concluded.
To learn more about all of the athletes hoping to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, visit TeamUSA.com. Also, check out people.com for ongoing coverage before, during and after the Games. You can watch the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, starting July 26, on NBC and Peacock.
