Beacon the therapy dog winning hearts at the Olympic Games
Beacon is a golden retriever who serves as a therapy dog for athletes at the Olympic Games. "Honestly, I'd rather watch him than the Olympics," reads the comments.
12:43 PM EDT, July 29, 2024
Beacon is the first therapy dog to join USA Gymnastics. He supports the coaching staff and gymnasts. He participated in the Olympic trials in Minneapolis, and a video featuring the dog went viral.
"The fact that he has his own Olympic accreditation around his neck means everything," "Honestly, I'd rather watch him than the Olympics," "Give him the gold," reads 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 certifications and was hired to help minimize the stress, pressure, and tension associated with the competitions that qualify for the Olympics.
Beacon's owner is Tracey Callahan Molnar, a former gymnast. She came up with the idea to introduce a therapy dog to the team and claimed that the presence of the four-legged friend works like a charm on the athletes.
The furry Officer of Happiness
Athletes representing the United States in artistic gymnastics unanimously admit that the dog's presence is soothing and uplifting.
"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 viewed several million times. Internet users couldn't conceal their admiration. "I love this... Good move by the Mental Health Commission for athletes," "He better get all three medals," "He should get the gold," and "Honestly, I'd rather watch him than the Olympics," read the comments.
