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sports14h ago
Meet the adorable service dogs behind the athletes of the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
- The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will feature numerous service dogs aiding athletes across six sports.
- Pickle, a Black Labrador, is the service dog for British Alpine skier Hester Poole and has become a public symbol for the team.
- Australia will be represented by several guide dogs, including Odell with Amanda Reid, Suki with Dave Miln, and Willow with Matt Brumby.
- "We’re a little biased, but one of the best parts of the Paralympics is the addition of our four-legged friends," Paralympics Australia said on Instagram.
- Paralympics teams train and travel with dogs like Pickle, Gigi, Suki, Willow, and Riley to support athletes with vision loss and PTSD.
- Willow, Brumby’s service dog, has participated in multiple international trips since Invictus Games 2018.
- Riley is Carina Edlinger’s guide dog, celebrated as a key supporter after Beijing 2022.
- The dogs are primarily Labrador retrievers, chosen for intelligence, temperament, and suitability as guide and mobility aids.
- Paralympic teams emphasize dogs' roles in boosting athletes' confidence and navigation during travel and competition.
- Defence Community Dogs and other programs supply dogs to athletes at no cost, reinforcing a veteran- and civilian-support network.
- The article frames the dogs as a heartwarming and newsworthy part of the Paralympic experience tied to fan attention.
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