‘BEACON’ THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER IS THE FIRST THERAPY DOG FOR USA GYMNASTICS

“Beacon,” a Golden Retriever who loves tummy rubs and enjoys a good jump, recently achieved therapy dog gold. The 4-year-old registered therapy dog and his owner, Tracey Callahan Molnar of Pasadena, California, are the first official therapy dog team for USA Gymnastics.

This year, Beacon, Callahan Molnar, and other therapy dog teams have welcomed athletes at five gymnastics competitions.

While the Golden didn’t stand on the Paris podium, USA Gymnastics has hired him part-time to focus on cheer. His official staff credential proudly states, “Goodest Boy.”

Adding Therapy Dogs to Sports

Beacon is no stranger to offering comfort to those in need of a furry friend and a soft coat to lift their spirits. A registered therapy dog with Pet Partners, this Golden Retriever started his therapeutic journey as a service dog providing tactile support for Callahan Molnar.

Callahan Molnar, who has a rich background as an artistic and rhythmic gymnastics competitor, is an organizer with USA Gymnastics. With 36 years of experience as a gymnastics instructor, she has also been involved with the sport’s national governing body for 40 years.

“During my time at international competitions, including the Pan American Games, I noticed they had therapy dogs, and I thought we should have them too,” she recalls. She presented the idea to LiLi Leung, the CEO of USA Gymnastics, who is a dog lover and an advocate for pet therapy. Leung quickly approved the initiative. “I love that I can combine my passion for gymnastics with my understanding of the athletes’ and staff’s needs, the organization’s goals, and how therapy dogs can truly make a difference,” Callahan Molnar says.

However, she soon faced challenges in coordinating and vetting therapy dog teams in different cities. “I initially thought I could draw inspiration from other sports organizations on managing this, but I found that no governing sports body was involved in pet therapy,” she explains. “I realized I needed to create a program myself.”

At first, Callahan Molnar encountered resistance from those who believed the dogs would distract competitors. “Once people saw how the dogs calmed the athletes, those concerns faded, and they began asking if dogs would be present at the next trials,” she says.

Uncharted Therapy Dog Territory

The inaugural event featuring therapy dogs was the 2023 Rhythmic Elite Qualifier in Indianapolis, held in May 2023. “When I found out that 300 gymnasts would be attending, I realized that the dog-to-gymnast ratio wouldn’t allow enough time for each competitor to interact with Beacon,” she explains.

Callahan Molnar reached out to pet therapy organizations to recruit additional teams. Given the tight security at these events, all participants must have current pet therapy registrations, rabies vaccinations, and verified identification. Teams are required to sign a waiver, cannot request autographs or photos with the athletes, and must meet the athletes in a designated wellness room.

Just three weeks later, from June 19 to 24, she needed to secure enough therapy dog teams for 1,900 athletes participating in acrobatic, rhythmic, trampoline, and tumbling events at the 2023 USA Gymnastics Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “Due to COVID, there were not many pet therapy teams in Tulsa, and we had more athletes than available dogs,” she noted. “We could only provide support to the elite athletes.”

In August, Beacon and Callahan Molnar traveled to San Jose, California, to offer therapeutic support at the Artistic Gymnastics National Championships. She needed 24 therapy dog teams for the event, but the response was overwhelming. “We had 61 registered therapy dog teams reach out, and I had to say, ‘Thank you, but we already have enough,’” she recalled.

Supporting Elite Athletes Ahead of the Olympics

Beacon and Callahan Molnar participated in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for gymnastics in Minneapolis from June 27 to June 30, preparing for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Alongside 11 other therapy dogs, they offered affection, comfort, and support to the staff and 25 to 30 elite gymnasts vying for a spot on Team USA.

What did the athletes say to the dogs? “They often commented on Beacon’s beautiful coat and how cute and soft he is,” Callahan Molnar shares. “Sometimes, they’d talk about their own pets or share past dog experiences, or even discuss aches, pains, or nerves about the competition.”

For Callahan Molnar, pet therapy is about the connection between the person and Beacon, who eagerly welcomes anyone who gets close.

After the first round of competition, Suni Lee approached Beacon and expressed, “Thank God for Beacon, day one of the trials done, onto day two,” a moment that deeply touched Callahan Molnar.

While most people associate therapy dogs with settings like assisted living facilities, hospitals, schools, and disaster sites, their role in athletics is emerging. “With the increasing focus on mental health in sports, there’s a growing recognition that high-level athletics can be stressful too,” she explains.

“When Beacon sees people, he can’t wait to be with them, but he knows sitting comes first,” says his handler. “It’s easy for the gymnasts to plop down next to him for a belly rub.”

Discussions have already started about having therapy dog teams available for the USA Gymnastics team before and during the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. “I hope other sports will embrace therapy dogs as well,” Callahan Molnar adds. “If Beacon and other dogs can help these athletes in any way, then we’ve truly accomplished our mission.”