In June 2024, some of the United States' top gymnasts gathered in Minneapolis to contend for a spot on the 2024 Olympic team. Friends and family cheered from the stands, but another fan roved the floor on padded paws, proffering licks, cuddles, and an opportunity for athletes to practice giving belly rubs. Meet Beacon, a 4-year-old golden retriever who serves as an emotional support animal (ESA) for USA Gymnastics. Officially known as the "Goodest Boy," Beacon helps the gymnasts de-stress at major competitions, and he isn't the only furry friend on the sidelines these days—several competitive sports teams have added canine companions to their rosters to create a more pawsitive ambiance.

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Unleashing Support

According to the American Kennel Club, an emotional support dog provides mental health benefits to individuals through companionship—often assuaging a person's symptoms of anxiety, depression, and fear. That's because petting a dog has been shown to lower a person's blood pressure, heart rate, and a stress hormone called cortisol, altogether leading to a boost in blitheful feelings.

Terri Jo Rucinski, a head athletic trainer for the University of North Carolina (UNC), has seen the salubrious impact dogs can have on a person firsthand. She's accompanied on the job by her golden retriever, Remington, who serves as the university's first ESA. Sometimes Remington does functional tasks—like opening and closing the refrigerator so an athlete can grab a sports drink or fetching balls for players during throwing exercises. But he also snuggles with the athletes during physical therapy treatments and bolsters them as they talk about their feelings.

"Remington has become a shoulder to lean on if I'm anxious or nervous," UNC soccer player Madi Pry told Sports Illustrated. "He makes me feel O.K. being vulnerable with the people that are around me."

Remington isn't the only pup acting as an ESA to college athletes. A team of emotional support dogs took part in the 2024 Women's College World Series, making themselves available for head pats, chin scratches, and snuggles throughout the tournament. That same year, Arkansas Tech's softball team added Mr. Wilson to its athletic staff—he's an affable pooch who brings love and cuddles, and who supports players through both superlative and ruff games.

Fetching Partnerships

It's not just college athletes who are flourishing in the presence of a four-legged teammate. In 2018, the San Francisco 49ers added Zoë—a French bulldog—to their lineup, making her the National Football League's first ESA. Players relished spending time with the rookie, sharing Instagram posts of cuddle sessions between practices and before and after games. A team spokesperson told CNN that Zoë brightened the players' days while providing much-needed stress relief.

In April 2022, the National Basketball Association's Dallas Mavericks went to the doghouse and added a mini Bernedoodle named Bailey to the team roster. Bailey attends all team practices and home games, and she's also available during shootarounds and training treatments. All this work builds up quite the appetite, and Bailey has been known to get extra treats from many of the players, including Josh Green. When asked about this victualing, Green told CBS Sports that as a teammate, Bailey is "always there for me, so I bring extra breakfast every morning."

A Doggone Good Friend

After the conclusion of the USA Gymnastics Olympic tryouts, Beacon spent time engaging gymnasts and their coaches on the floor. He licked tears from the faces of athletes who hadn't made the Olympic team, then brought comfort to other gymnasts by allowing them to nuzzle his fur. "It was a rough night for some of the gymnasts," Beacon's human handler, Tracey Callahan Molnar, told ESPN. "And I think Beacon helped celebrate the good stuff and…[gave] support for the challenges." It was a furtastic end to an onerous day.

Think about and discuss these questions:
What are the benefits of a sports team having an emotional support animal? What evidence from the article supports your response?
Do you think emotional support animals could be beneficial to people who are not on a sports team? Why or why not?
QUESTION 2


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According to the article, why did USA Gymnastics enlist the services of Beacon the emotional support dog?

To help support gymnasts during their physical therapy sessions
To perform functional tasks for gymnasts so they do not overexert themselves
To help reduce the amount of stress gymnasts feel during major competitions
To provide gymnasts with additional exercise after training sessions

Answer 1

Discussion Questions

1. Benefits of a Sports Team Having an Emotional Support Animal:

   • Emotional support animals offer numerous benefits to sports teams by providing companionship and reducing stress among athletes. Evidence from the article highlights how Beacon, the emotional support dog for USA Gymnastics, helps gymnasts de-stress during competitions, which can be emotionally charged environments. Additionally, Terri Jo Rucinski, a head athletic trainer at UNC, describes the positive emotional impact her own ESA, Remington, has on athletes, allowing them to express vulnerability and feel supported. This can enhance overall mental well-being and performance under pressure.

2. Benefits for People Not on Sports Teams:

   • Yes, emotional support animals could be beneficial to individuals outside of sports teams. The article outlines how the companionship of dogs can alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, benefiting a wide variety of individuals, not just athletes. For example, the calming effects of petting a dog can lower blood pressure and promote feelings of happiness, making ESAs useful in settings such as schools, workplaces, or for individuals coping with personal challenges.

Question 2 Answer

According to the article, USA Gymnastics enlisted Beacon the emotional support dog "to help reduce the amount of stress gymnasts feel during major competitions."