CAMPAIGN TO SAVE TEAM USA GYMNASTICS THERAPY DOG LAUNCHED: ‘GOODEST BOY’

USA Gymnastics’ cherished therapy dog is battling an unknown illness and needs assistance to cover the substantial veterinary costs. The goal is to ensure he can be present at the 2028 Olympics.

Beacon, a golden retriever affectionately known as “the goodest boy” (@goldendogbeacon), is more than just a pet; he plays a crucial role with the national gymnastics team, offering emotional support and helping athletes manage their stress and anxiety during intense competitions.

Three weeks ago, after returning from a hiking trip in California’s Angeles National Forest, Beacon’s owner, 65-year-old Tracey Callahan Molnar, noticed he was moving stiffly. “He was moving stiffly,” she told Newsweek.

She quickly took him to the vet, where he received an anti-inflammatory injection. Although his blood work was normal and Beacon showed some initial improvement, his condition remains concerning.

However, during a rhythmic gymnastics camp in New York, Beacon’s condition stabilized, causing increasing concern for Molnar. She returned to the vet, where X-rays revealed fluid in his chest cavity and a fever. “Things escalated quickly from there,” she explained.

Beacon was urgently taken to an emergency veterinary hospital and was placed in an oxygen chamber for treatment.

On September 3, Beacon was diagnosed with pleural effusion, a condition characterized by fluid accumulation in the chest cavity that impairs breathing. Vets drained 700ml of fluid from his chest.

“I felt completely disoriented. Beacon is only 4 years old. During our camping and hiking, everything seemed normal; nothing stood out as unusual. Even now, it’s just so confusing,” she said.

Jacqueline Fealy, a family friend who set up the fundraiser, reported that Beacon’s surgery on September 5 went well.

“They were able to biopsy tissue from his chest cavity and installed two drainage ports, one on each side. The doctors have been monitoring the drainage, and with the help of steroids, the fluid accumulation has reduced slightly. Beacon had a peaceful night,” she said on the fundraising page.

Beacon was discharged from True Care For Pets in Studio City on September 7, after which Molnar was trained to manage his chest drainage ports. Although he was briefly readmitted a few days later due to increased breathing rates, doctors attributed the issue to his medication, and he was soon back home in improved spirits.

Despite extensive testing, Beacon’s condition remains unexplained. Biopsy results have ruled out cancer, alleviating concerns that his symptoms might have been linked to mesothelioma, a rare cancer associated with asbestos exposure.

“Needless to say, finding out it’s not only NOT mesothelioma, but NOT cancer of any kind is reassuring on one hand but still scary because they still don’t have a definitive diagnosis,” Molnar shared on Beacon’s Instagram page in a video update that garnered 42,600 views.

While hospitalized, his exhausted yet determined spirit shone through.

“They had little stuffed animals in the room—Beacon is obsessed with stuffed animals—and even though he was weak, he lifted his nose to try and reach one,” Molnar told Newsweek.

Although Beacon’s organs appear healthy based on ultrasounds, and he has undergone a CT scan and tissue biopsy of his lungs, there is still no definitive answer for his condition. Doctors have already ruled out common fungi and bacteria and are now investigating his travel history over the past year to conduct more thorough tests.

“I felt like I saw, for the first time in three weeks, a little bit of our Beacon again—he had a bit more energy, there was a bit more tail wagging,” Molnar said.

USA Gymnastics shared their support for their much-loved therapy dog.

“We’re wishing Good Boy Beacon a speedy recovery!” they wrote on Facebook.