In one of the saddest news you’ll see today, Beacon, the golden retriever who gave emotional support to the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Team this summer, has been hospitalized and we’re very worried.
His owner Tracey Callahan Molnar shared the worrying news in a post on Instagram, where she explained all the symptoms and difficulties that the golden retriever has been going through in recent days, which is why she made the decision to take him to an emergency veterinary hospital.
“Love and Prayers” Beacon, Iconic USA Gymnastic Team Therapy Dog Has Been Hospitalized
“Beacon was admitted yesterday to an emergency pet hospital after some symptoms he was having (stiffness, moving into labored breathing, and then fever) were not reacting to treatments (anti-inflammatory meds, cold laser therapy). x-rays yesterday showed fluid in his chest cavity which was at least in part the reason for the labored breathing,” Tracey stated.
On Wednesday, the USA Gymnastics team sent a heartfelt message for the beloved canine, sharing a link to a GoFundMe page to support his medical expenses. “We’re wishing Good Boy Beacon a speedy recovery!” the post read.
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The 4-year-old golden retriever, is the first therapy dog for USAG and even received his own credentials for the Minneapolis trials, which took place from June 27 to 30 in preparation for the Paris Olympics. He proudly holds the title of “Goodest Boy” on the USAG team.
According to ESPN, Callahan Molnar, who brought the iconic therapy dog to the trials, has been with him since he was just a puppy. Initially, Beacon served as Molnar’s service animal before she had him certified as a therapy dog through Pet Partners, the outlet reported.
“Everyone wants to say hi, and he wants to say hi to them. It takes 20 minutes to get … not very far,” said Tracey “We know that beacon provides animal assisted therapy but i hope you know that he loves people so much that the in-person interactions he had with so many of you are also meaningful to him,” she added.
