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USMNT's Newest Teammates: Puppies!
26 Jun
Summary
- USMNT players are interacting with puppies for stress relief.
- Three terrier mix puppies named Bud, Dew Drop, and Bloom visited.
- Interacting with dogs can lower heart rate and reduce anxiety symptoms.
The U.S. men's national soccer team is incorporating an unconventional stress-relief method during their 2026 World Cup campaign. The squad recently welcomed three puppies – Bud, Dew Drop, and Bloom – to their training facility in California. This initiative, a partnership with Purina, aims to provide a calming influence on the players.
This approach is supported by research indicating that interactions with dogs can significantly reduce heart rate and anxiety. Dr. Kerri Rodriguez's study suggests dogs offer non-judgmental support, proving more effective than human interaction in stressful situations. This emotional bond can influence key hormones like cortisol and oxytocin, often referred to as the "cuddle hormone."
The team's first opponent in the round of 32 is Bosnia and Herzegovina. The USMNT hopes that these puppy therapy sessions will help maintain their focus and composure as they advance in the tournament. This follows similar strategies, like Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta introducing a labrador named Win to his team.
