The torch has been lit and the games have begun. It’s a glorious time of year. We’re sitting with our popcorn, eagerly watching along with the rest of the country to see our Olympians fiercely compete for the gold.
But some athletes are champions outside of the Olympics. Rescuing a pet is a rewarding and essential part of keeping innocent dogs off the streets and safe in loving homes. We’ve compiled a list of some talented Olympians who’ve rescued dogs in hopes that encourages everyone to do the same.
Meagan Duhamel & Moo-tae
Meagan Duhamel is a retired two-time world champion Canadian figure skater, earning that title from the 2015 and 2016 Winter Olympics.. In 2018, she took home the gold in team skating and the silver metal in 2014. During the pair skating competition in 2018, Duhamel also became a bronze medallist. During her 2014 pair skating event, she became the first pair to ever land the side-by-side triple Lutz jump at any Winter Olympic competition.
In addition to her stunning sporting resume, this hero used her passion to rescue her mini-dachshund Moo-tae from a dog meat farm in South Korea. The former skater learned that nearly 2 million dogs are raised for slaughter in Korea each year while being kept in unimaginable conditions. Due to these conditions, little Moo-tae will have misshapen legs for the rest of his life. Despite the challenges, he is happy to have found his forever home.
Nina Schultz & Nips
Nina Schultz is a Canadian-born track athlete who competes for China after being a respected champion at her alma-mater, Kansas State University. She specifically participates in the heptathlon and pentathlon. In 2021, she became eligible by World Athletics to compete on China’s National Track team.
Practice for this track star was becoming a little more adorable when a stray pup kept stopping by to say hello. The dog, now named Nips, had an instant bond with Nina Schultz, who just couldn’t resist stopping her rigorous training to play with the pup. After security tried to capture the dog, Schultz “kidnapped” her and brought her home where she belongs. It wasn’t until Nips was safely in Schultz’s care that the Olympian realized Nips was pregnant. Soon after, the track star now had seven new additions to her furry family. Nips’ birth inspired Schultz to push even harder because if Nips could make it through that, then anything is possible.
Tracey Callahan Molnar & Beacon
This long-time Team USA coach got her start as a rhythmic gymnast. In 2000, she received the Robert Miller Spirit of Flame Award for outstanding leadership, determination, and strength. She is now known for her work with therapy dogs who come and visit the current athletes on the team.
Molnar may have found America’s most beloved dog. She adopted Beacon, one of the several therapy dogs for the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics team, at only 8 weeks old. After losing her previous dog, Tulsa, Molnar was eager to register Beacon as a therapy dog to continue Tulsa’s valiant efforts to comfort those in need. Beacon became an internet sensation as videos of him playing with athletes and caring for his teammates went viral.
Gus Kenworthy
Augustus Kenworthy is a former British-American olympic freestyle skier. In 2014 he took home the silver medal in men's slopestyle on the American team during the Winter Olympics. In 2019, he transferred to the British team and won the gold medal for the ski halfpipe in 2020.
This impressive olympic skier has a soft spot for furry animals. Kenworthy rescued his beloved dog, Beemo, from a dog meat farm in South Korea. There he realized the true horrors of animal abuse. Sadly, Beemo was born with a birth defect that caused her heart to be too big for her body, and she passed away. But Beemo’s death made Kenworthy more determined than ever to save more pups from the terrors of meat trading. He rescued a new friend named Birdie, who will continue Beemo’s legacy on instagram to help bring awareness to rescuing dogs.
Rebecca Johnston & Rylee
Rebecca Johnston has been a player for the national Canadian Ice Hockey team since 2007. Per 2022, Johnston has won three gold medals (2010, 2014, and 2022), one silver (2018), and has two world championship titles (2012 and 2021) in the Winter Olympics.
In the midst of being a professional Canadian ice hockey player, Rebecca Johnston prioritizes puppy love. She is known to have welcomed rescue dogs into her own home and is still actively involved in fighting for animals who haven’t yet found a place to stay through encouraging social media posts.
Gabby Thomas & Rico
Gabrielle Thomas is an esteemed athlete playing for the U.S. track and field team in the 100 and 200-meter sprint events. In 2020, Thomas walked away with the bronze medal in the 200-meter sprint and the silver as part of the women's 4 Ă— 100-meter relay. Only three women in history have surpassed her record from her 2020 200-meter win.
Thomas rescued her treasured pup Rico and has been basking in that joy ever since. “Regardless of the highs and lows I might experience competing, training, or otherwise, Rico is a steady source of happiness and joy,” she shared.
Lindsey Vonn & Pups
Lindsey Vonn is a former four-time World Cup champion for the U.S. alpine ski racing team. She won three consecutive years in 2008, 2009, and 2010, and then again in 2012. She announced her retirement in February of 2019 after sustaining threatening injuries and feeling like she had accomplished everything she could.
This talented American athlete has a thing for furry friends. She rescued her three dogs Jade, Leo, and Lucy and she continues to document their adventures on instagram. The three pups have accumulated nearly 40,000 followers who enjoy watching them go through life as much as Vonn.
Matt Antoine & Tatum
This American skeleton racer has been a competing athlete since 2003. While he’s never won a gold medal, he has taken away a bronze and silver medal in the 2015-2016 World Cup.
Antoine’s love for dogs is ongoing and heartwarming. In 2020, his beloved rescue dog, Dixie, succumbed to cancer. After about five years of puppy love, the Olympian and his family said goodbye to their pup. In 2021, they adopted a new furry pal, Tatum, who appears to be a great addition to their family.
Let's applaud our Olympians for their tireless striving toward greatness and the the endless love they're giving to their rescue pets. These commendable athletes have proven that their care for animals shows no bounds and we hope you take inspiration as well.
