At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Team USA’s gymnastics squad embraced a furry emotional coach: Beacon, a four-year-old Golden Retriever trained as a therapy dog. Deployed to help mitigate performance anxiety, Beacon spent up to 15 hours a day by athletes’ sides, engaging in stress-relieving snuggles and quiet companionship. His presence lowered anxiety and cortisol levels, fostering mental clarity in a pressure-intense environment. This approach signals a growing recognition of emotional well-being in elite sport cultures.
While not the first sport to adopt canine therapy, gymnastics’ high-stakes context amplifies the relevance. Dogs positioned pool-side during U.S. Olympic swim trials marked one early foray, providing comfort to anxious swimmers. More broadly, research underscores therapy dogs’ impact: pet interaction stimulates oxytocin release, reduces blood pressure, and buffers stress—proven tools for athletes in high-pressure settings.
The success of Beacon and similar initiatives points toward a future where mental health support is woven into athletic programs. Therapy animals offer an empathetic bridge between physical performance and emotional resilience—helping athletes reconnect with calm, manage pressure more effectively, and perform at their best. As sports evolve, canine companions may become indispensable teammates in forging mentally strong athletes.
