Beacon, the golden retriever who serves as USA Gymnastics’ beloved therapy dog, was in many people’s thoughts and prayers this past week after it was announced he was rushed to the hospital after showing some concerning symptoms.
But now, there is an update on his progress: Beacon is home!
Beacon, whose work with the USA gymnastics team became a heartwarming media story this summer during the Olympics in Paris, was admitted to an emergency pet hospital on September 4, his owner Tracey Callahan Molnar wrote on Instagram.
She wrote that the golden retriever was displaying troubling symptoms including troubling symptoms including stiffness, labored breathing and a fever, which were not reacting to any treatments, and x-rays revealed fluid in his chest. Doctors had to perform tests to determine a diagnosis.
Molnar asked people to send “good wishes” to Beacon — and those thoughts and prayers seem to have been answered: yesterday, the owner announced that Beacon is now home.
In an Instagram update, she said that Beacon was on medication that reduced the fluid in his chest, and she learned how to drain excess fluid from his chest cavity.
While they are still awaiting a diagnosis and he’s “not out of the woods yet,” Beacon seems to be doing better and is regaining his appetite: “I’m happy to say, beacon ate his entire dinner on his own,” Molnar wrote.
She thanked the many people who helped her and Beacon during this difficult time, including friends, hospital staff and fans who sent well wishes. “There are so many warriors and warrioresses out there for Beacon- many i know and even more i’ve never met,” she wrote. “I wonder every day how i will ever be able to say thank you in a way that you all truly understand the depth of my gratitude. There are so many messages that lift me up and make me feel encouraged. Thank you.”
Many of Beacon’s fans and followers were relieved by the update.
“So happy he is able to go home!” one comment reads. “Being home with mom is the best medicine for Beacon! Sending our continued prayers and love.”
“Praying it’s not serious and he’s going to be fine,” another wrote. “Beacon has inspired me to sign up to a charity for my own golden retriever to be a therapy dog volunteer.”
Beacon: USA Gymnastics’ therapy dog
Beacon made history as USA Gymnastics’ first-ever therapy dog. His story made headlines this year as the women’s team saw major success in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Molnar adopted Beacon as a puppy in 2020, after her previous dog Tulsa passed away, according to USA Today. When Molnar saw how much Beacon loved and gravitated towards people, she knew he could potentially follow in Tulsa’s footsteps as a therapy dog.
She was friends with Caroline Hunt, vice president of the rhythmic gymnastics program at USA Gymnastics, who was interested in adding a pet therapy program to USAG. The dog therapy program launched in February 2023 at a rhythmic gymnastics program in Indianapolis. Overcoming skepticism, the program proved to have mental health benefits for the competitors.
