Tracey Callahan Molnar–handler and chief human of Beacon, the therapy dog who’s become increasingly beloved across the U.S.A. Gymnastics world and beyond, emerging as a media sensation along the way—recounts her own career as a gymnast and coach, specializing in rhythmic gymnastics. 
A fundamental narrative of this conversation reflects the intersection of gymnasts and
therapy dogs, so Molnar recalls her own history with those kinds of canines. It partly involves her husband’s battle with pancreatic cancer, noting that hospital stays for surgery and chemotherapy introduced the couple to therapy dogs, which they instantly warmed to. It also occurred to them that their own pooch, Tulsa, had the temperament and other attributes to become a therapy dog. Sure enough, Tulsa, did eventually start working as a therapy dog (Sadly, this was after Molnar’s husband died.) She remembers how, after she and Tulsa underwent their training and other preparations, and started working as a team, what she found most rewarding about making those visits. This, clearly, was a precursor to the alliance she later forged with Beacon, whom I called “the belle of the ball,” referring to the 2024 United States Olympic gymnastics team trials, held June 27-30 in 
Minneapolis. At those trials—where he and a small pack of therapy dogs were on hand,
helping calm the nerves of the gymnasts (and coaches)—Beacon landed at the center of a major piece in The New York Times, as well as similarly Beacon-centric coverage from such other media outlets as ESPN, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, The Today Show.com, People Magazine, and NBC News. That reporting captured how gymnasts couldn’t get enough of Beacon, spending time with him whenever possible, lovin’ on him, and vice versa, getting their picture taken with him (like Simone Biles, pictured above), inevitably observing that he wore a credential around his neck that included the designation “Goodest Boy,” pointing out that various participants at the trials sometimes posted about the dog on Instagram. It appeared that Beacon was putting in very long days in Minneapolis, and Molnar describes the array of measures she followed to help mitigate the pooch’s fatigue and emotional wear-and-tear. She also outlined what it takes to be an effective therapy dog, delineating what makes Beacon so distinctive and charismatic. In the final moment of our chat, she touches on his longtime quirk: Beacon hates to be hot, so he likes to climb into the refrigerator to cool down, something he’s done since his puppy days. Molnar explained that she’s careful to limit the length of those fridge visits, and always leave the door open. This all underscored the impression that Beacon is one cool canine. https://www.instagram.com/goldendogbeacon/ (Photos of Beacon & Molnar, and Molnar solo, by John K. Cheng; Photo of Beacon & Simone Biles by Tracey Callahan Molnar)
ALSO: I spoke briefly with Karri Head, who oversees marketing and events for Pet Pal Animal Shelter–located in Saint Petersburg–primarily about the Cat Yoga class they’re offering at the Shelter on Tuesday, July 16, at 6pm. Head also provided a short overview of Pet Pal Animal Shelter, including its history and mission. She described what to expect at the Cat Yoga class, including that probably 8-10 cats from the shelter will be roaming amongst the 12-18 humans, creating a possible scenario of doing downward dog poses amidst standing upright felines. Additionally, she notes the opportunity the yoga students will have to adopt one of those roaming kitties afterwards, though that’s the purpose of the class. Head mentions additional details of the class, including how to register. (/https://petpalanimalshelter.com, https://www.facebook.com/events/pet-pal-animal-shelter/cat-yoga-returns/1138369110617590/)
COMEDY CORNER: Eddie Pepitone’s “Dog Therapy” (https://www.eddiepepitone.com/)
MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals
NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: We didn’t play “Name That Animal Tune” today.
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