Meet Beacon the therapy dog, calming gymnasts' nerves at the US Olympic Trials
MINNEAPOLIS (NEXSTAR) — The U.S. Olympic Trials is one of the most stressful competitions for gymnasts.
In fact, coaches and athletes have openly talked about the intense amount of pressure to perform in front of the selection committee that hand-picks who will represent USA Gymnastics at the Olympics.
For the first time at trials, there's a very special good boy helping ease some of the nerves.
Beacon the therapy dog is a certified, credentialed staff member for USA Gymnastics.
The four-year-old pup even sports a custom bandana with the Olympic rings.
Beacon the therapy dog is the official "Goodest Boy," of the Olympic trials.
“If we don't see people reacting, we hear them reacting, we hear a gasp or suddenly someone's voice goes up an octave," said Tracey Callahan Molnar, Beacon's handler. "And that's usually his cue."
Callahan Molnar said she's been working with rhythmic gymnastics bringing in therapy dogs for 40 years. Just over a year ago, she started working with artistic gymnastics.
Beacon is a member of pet therapy partnering with USAG.
“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.”
Beacon has been in a wellness room off-site where athletes can go visit during scheduled hours before and after they're done competing.
This week, Beacon has been spotted on and off the competition floor with 2020 Tokyo Olympian Suni Lee, Paris 2024 Olympic alternate Khoi Young, and Shilese Jones who got hurt the first day and had to pull out of the meet.
Two others, Kayla DiCello and Skye Blakely, were injured and unable to compete. And it's something that’s weighed on everyone.
“Since these injuries have occurred, they're reaching out to Beacon more than they did before," Callahan Molnar said.
Beacon's simple presence is going a long way.
“I do feel emotional talking about it ... helping these gymnasts aim towards their dream or achieve their dream," Callahan Molnar said. "It's just never is it something I expected that we would have a part in and that Beacon would be really good at.”
Callahan Molnar and Beacon travel all around the country. They won’t be in Paris, but are hoping to continue being there for gymnasts for many years to come.