From figure skating to basketball the therapy dog team have been some of the most popular visitors at the Kamloops 2018 BC Winter Games competitions over the weekend.
These dogs are become real heroes of the Games – and are being credited for encouraging the figure skating team to shine. A coach explains that the dogs provided such love and comfort to one of the Special Olympics figure skaters competing that the fear of performing in front of the crowd was no longer a factor.
"Dogs have such special powers, they just make you feel better," one of the Special Olympic athletes shared.
Special Olympic Basketball athletes at Pacific Way Elementary also loved the companionship of therapy dogs. Athletes, coaches, and parents were able to enjoy the good company and soothing vibes of these therapy dogs.
The BC Games athletes are not the only ones enjoying the presence of the therapy dogs. "I'm sleep deprived, food deprived, and caffeine deprived - but petting this dog makes none of that matter! Thank you for giving me a moment to take my mind off all of that, I feel I can focus better now,” one of the coaches told us.
"Why hasn't anyone else thought of having therapy dogs at other BC Games events before this? It was so wonderful having the dogs are here! Athletes that are feeling overwhelmed, having a hard time, and not wanting to participate, sure have a change in heart after a visit with the dogs,” explains a coach for our Special Olympic athletes. “They feel so much better, and can now go on to compete!"
A big thanks to the therapy dogs team.
