BEACON MAY NEED AN AGENT, BUT YOU WON’T SEE THE THERAPY DOG WITH US GYMNASTS IN PARIS

Meet Beacon, a truly special dog providing therapy and support to gymnasts from across the United States who gathered in Minneapolis from June 27 to June 30 for the 2024 U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials.

Beacon, a four-year-old golden retriever from California, became an internet sensation when videos and photos of him cuddling and playing with athletes went viral last month. While several other dogs also participated in the therapy sessions for the gymnastics trials, it was Beacon—with his big brown eyes and fluffy fur—who captured the most attention.

“Beacon isn’t the only dog here,” Jill Geer, chief communications and marketing officer at USA Gymnastics, told USA TODAY. “There are several other dogs, but Beacon is definitely the star of the show. He is truly the Beacon of this program.”

“I joke that Beacon needs an agent, because there are more requests for Beacon than just about any other athlete out there,” Geer added.

Beacon was born in February 2020 in Michigan and was adopted by Tracey Callahan Molnar, 65, a former rhythmic gymnastics coach, when he was just 8 weeks old. Molnar drove all the way from Pasadena, California, during the height of COVID-19 to bring him home.

In a phone interview with USA TODAY from Pasadena, Molnar shared that Beacon is her second golden retriever. She and her late husband had a dog named Tulsa who passed away in 2019.

She explored adopting a rescue dog in California and considered other breeders in the state but ultimately returned to the same breeder who had bred Tulsa. Transporting Beacon from Michigan to California during the COVID-19 lockdowns was challenging, but Molnar successfully navigated the process and brought Beacon home.

“I wavered so many times about it, especially since it was April 2020,” Molnar said. “I thought it was crazy and wondered if I could really do it. But I had already seen pictures of him and felt a strong emotional connection.”

Beacon’s journey as a therapy dog

Molnar has always been a strong advocate for volunteerism. When Tulsa was alive, she had him certified as a therapy dog, and he provided pet therapy for nearly six and a half years.

“After losing Tulsa, I not only missed him but also missed the joy of providing pet therapy,” Molnar said. “I’m a passionate supporter of volunteerism, having engaged in it through various avenues over the years, and I hope to continue this work.”

When Molnar got Beacon, she hoped he would also enjoy being a therapy dog, as it’s not something you can force on a pet.

“But thankfully, even more than Tulsa, he really gravitates toward people,” Molnar said of Beacon. “He likes other dogs, but he absolutely loves people. He seems very adept at sensing stress in others—he does it with me, and I’ve seen him do it with other people as well.”

“He really seems to be cut out for this,” Molnar added.

At the Olympic trials

Molnar, who has been connected with USA Gymnastics for over 40 years, maintains a strong relationship with Caroline Hunt, the vice president of the rhythmic gymnastics program. Molnar and Hunt, who have known each other since childhood, share a close bond. Molnar mentioned that Hunt, a former professional athlete, had been considering introducing a pet therapy program in her department, inspired by an event she attended a few years ago.

The dog therapy program, launched by Hunt, began in February 2023 during a rhythmic gymnastics event in Indianapolis, according to Greer.

Although many people were enthusiastic about the program, some were initially skeptical. However, Molnar noted that those who were doubtful eventually came to appreciate the initiative and inquired about its return.

“They saw the benefits,” Molnar said. “They heard their daughters or gymnasts talk about how much better and calmer they felt going onto the competition floor, and they credited their improved mood to spending time with the therapy dogs before the competition.”

Part of a wider program to support athletes’ mental health

At the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, this summer, around 16 dogs of various breeds, colors, and sizes took part in the therapy program, rotating in on different shifts and days, according to Geer.

Geer explained that the pet therapy program was introduced as part of a broader initiative to support athletes’ physical and mental well-being.

“Over the past several years, our athletes have consistently expressed a desire for more mental health support, in addition to nutritional support,” Geer said. “So, we provide both types of support.”

“All of these elements work together,” Geer added. “But the therapy dog program is definitely the cutest, happiest, and most fantastic of them all.”

Although there were plans to bring Beacon to Paris, they ultimately fell through due to logistical issues.

Despite her disappointment, Molnar shared in an Instagram post, “Beacon and I will be cheering for our Olympians from California and hope that @usagym and @teamusa hear us loud and clear all the way in Paris!”

Beacon’s Favorite Snacks and Activities

Beacon enjoys all kinds of food, but Molnar says his favorite snacks are frozen treats made from fruits like blueberries, watermelon, pumpkin, and chia seeds, along with liquid probiotic or plain Greek yogurt, which he usually gets to enjoy after breakfast.

“If I’m not promptly ready to give him his snacks after breakfast, he’ll come and nudge me, trying to lead me back to the kitchen,” Molnar laughed. “He dislikes the heat, so I think frozen treats are a refreshing and cooling option for him.”

Beacon’s favorite activity is swimming—whether it’s at the beach, in the ocean, or in the pool. According to Molnar, he loves being in the water.

Given how much Beacon enjoys staying cool, it’s no surprise that one of his favorite things is sitting in the fridge. Molnar shared with USA TODAY that when she first brought Beacon home, every time she opened the fridge door, he would come over and rest his chin on the bottom edge of the open door.

“After a few days, he tried climbing into the fridge when I opened the door,” Molnar said. “It was adorable, but he wasn’t quite big enough to reach the lowest shelf. So, I made the mistake of putting my hand behind him, and he used it as a stepping stool to climb into the fridge and immediately lay down.”

As charming as Molnar found Beacon’s little quirk, she expected it to last just a few weeks at most. However, Beacon has clearly found his own form of therapy.

“He was in the fridge just yesterday,” Molnar said. “Even though he’s four years old now and it’s a bit unconventional, he never stopped wanting to do it. As unusual as it may seem, I keep letting him enjoy it.”

Molnar also mentioned that she’s rearranged items in her fridge to create space for Beacon and allows him to stay in there for only three minutes before she “shooes him out” and quickly cleans the area.

“It’s not causing any harm and it makes him really happy,” Molnar said. “It makes me smile too.”