The US women’s gymnastics team has reclaimed its status as the best in the world. After securing a team silver at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, the five-member squad consisting of Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera has bounced back to win the title, amassing a total of eight medals. This impressive feat comes from the oldest US Olympic team in 72 years, a fact that contributed to their endearing nickname: the Golden Girls.
The team’s sensational performance in Paris may have been fueled by the delightful French pastries that Biles has been enthusiastic about on social media. Alternatively, one could attribute their success to another factor: their companion, Beacon, a four-year-old golden retriever who has been accompanying the nation’s top gymnasts over the past year to help manage their serotonin and stress levels.
Beacon, an emotional support dog based in sunny Pasadena, California, was present earlier this summer to help alleviate the nerves of athletes and coaches during the US Olympic trials in Minneapolis. Alongside several local canines, he was called in to provide comfort to the anxious hopefuls before their performances. He stayed on to console those athletes who were not selected for the Paris competition.
With his soft butterscotch fur and soulful eyes reminiscent of Leonard Cohen, Beacon has gained a celebrity status in both the gymnastics and canine communities. “This dog has touched Simone Biles” is how a viral TikTok about him proudly begins. Olympic all-around champion Suni Lee, whose path to the Paris Games was fraught with challenges, shared a photo with the charming pooch from the trials, captioning it, “Thank god for Beacon,” which helped elevate him to stardom. The Instagram account @WeRateDogs even awarded Beacon a remarkable score of 14/10, rivaling the Covid-era Twitter sensation Room Rater.
Beacon plays a significant role in USA Gymnastics’ long-overdue mental health initiative. This program includes not only therapy animals but also mindfulness exercises and a team of therapists available to support athletes. In light of the troubling sexual abuse scandal involving former team doctor Larry Nassar and Biles’s brave decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympic team for her mental health, Beacon’s arrival on the scene, albeit small and furry, is anything but trivial. The world of elite gymnastics has a lot to make amends for.
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Beacon is often seen with his handler, former rhythmic gymnastics coach Tracey Callahan Molnar. Not only is he gentle and welcoming towards young athletes looking to cuddle with his cozy coat, but he also possesses exceptional intuition and empathy. “He senses the stress and will gravitate towards that individual,” Molnar shared with ESPN.
Following a tumultuous Olympic trials filled with injuries for key gymnasts such as Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely, and Kayla DiCello, Beacon spent around 40 minutes with the team after their routines, allowing those who needed comfort to connect with him. When traveling, Molnar arranges for local dogs to meet the athletes. Additionally, during their downtime at home in Pasadena, Beacon volunteers at a local hospital.
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Beacon follows in the paw prints of Molnar’s previous golden therapy dog, Tulsa, whom she rescued with her late husband and who served a similar role until his passing in 2019. During one of the darker moments of the pandemic, Molnar made the trip from California to Michigan to find Tulsa’s successor.
Beacon clearly has his own personality. His business card, which Molnar shares at events, highlights his love for swimming and hiking while noting his aversion to celery. The card includes the address of his personal Instagram account, which showcases photographs of him in official Team USA gear and displays his laid-back fashion sense. He embraces accessories like plush toys to chew on and vibrant bandanas around his neck. Although there’s no book or podcast deal for him yet, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are still 28 dog years away.
