Comfort on Four Legs

When we think of a sports team, we usually imagine athletes, coaches, trainers, and maybe a physical therapist. But what if I told you that some teams are now including dogs—yes, actual dogs—as part of their roster?

Welcome to the growing world of therapy dogs in sports. These aren’t just mascots. They’re highly trained animals whose main job is to provide emotional support, reduce stress, and bring comfort to athletes competing at the highest levels.

One of the most heartwarming examples came from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where the U.S. women’s gymnastics team brought along a very special team member—a French bulldog named Stella. Stella wasn’t there to do flips or routines, of course. Her job was to stay by the gymnasts’ side during practice, backstage, and even in the Olympic Village. She helped them relax, stay calm under pressure, and feel emotionally grounded in one of the most intense environments in sports.

So, what exactly is a therapy dog, and how do they help?

Therapy dogs are trained to offer comfort and affection to people dealing with stress, anxiety, or trauma. They’re not the same as service dogs, which are trained to perform specific tasks for people with physical disabilities. Therapy dogs work in hospitals, schools, disaster zones—and now, in locker rooms and training facilities.

In sports, these dogs help athletes deal with the pressure of competition, fear of failure, and mental exhaustion from years of training. Athletes, even at the elite level, experience anxiety and isolation. A therapy dog can lower their heart rate, reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone), and provide a sense of companionship without judgment.

Most therapy dogs are breeds known for their calm nature, friendliness, and ability to connect emotionally. Common breeds include Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, French Bulldogs, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. However, any dog with the right temperament can be trained for this role. The training usually starts at a young age and includes socialization, obedience, and exposure to various environments. The most important trait is that the dog remains calm and gentle, even in crowded or noisy settings.

As mental health becomes a more openly discussed issue in sports, therapy dogs may play a larger role in athletic programs. More and more teams—from college sports to professional leagues—are bringing in dogs not just for game day, but as part of the daily support system for their athletes.

And it's not just athletes who benefit. These dogs are also used in schools to help students with anxiety, in hospitals to ease patient stress, and even in workplaces to reduce burnout. In some cities, airports have therapy dog programs to help nervous travelers. The common thread? These dogs provide nonverbal emotional support—something human words often fail to offer.

While not every team will have a furry team member in the near future, the presence of therapy dogs like Stella sends a strong message: mental well-being matters, and sometimes, the best teammate is the one who simply sits beside you and listens without saying a word.