These Service Dogs of the 2026 Winter Paralympics All Deserve a Gold Medal !
2026 Paralympic Service Dogs shine at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics. As athletes compete on snow-covered slopes, these highly trained dogs provide quiet companionship and steady support. They are trusted partners to athletes, bringing unique warmth to the Paralympic Games.
In fact, service dogs are familiar faces at the Paralympics. Only after undergoing rigorous training do they step onto the competition stage to assist athletes in their medal pursuits! Let’s get to know the six incredible dogs participating in this year’s Paralympic Games.
Ⅰ. Pickle
This is Pickle’s Olympic debut, partnering with British alpine skier Hester Poole. Born with a retinal development disorder, Poole never stopped training hard for skiing. At 14, she applied for a guide dog, and Pickle became her best training partner.
Poole says Pickle helped her regain confidence and find her life rhythm. She is faster and more energetic than before. Without Pickle, she relied fully on her sight and felt exhausted. With Pickle, she saves energy and focuses on training and studies.
Ⅱ. Riley
Austrian Paralympic veteran Carina Edlinger is visually impaired. She won bronze in 2018 and gold in 2022. Guide dog Riley joined her in 2019 and became her irreplaceable companion. For Edlinger, Riley is more precious than any medal—sports are great, but life means more than the podium.
Surprisingly, Edlinger didn’t love dogs before Riley, but this loyal pup changed her life. She said Riley saved her, giving her someone to care for. Even when anxious, she feels pure, unconditional love from him. She’d always wanted a black dog visible against white snow—and Riley made it come true.
Ⅲ. Odell
Odell is the service dog of Amanda Reid, an Indigenous Australian athlete with an intellectual disability. Reid is a star across Paralympic sports. She competes in snowboarding at this Winter Paralympics and has won many cycling and swimming awards at the Summer Paralympics since 2012.
Odell is a cross-season partner for Reid. He joined her at the Paris Paralympics and is an indispensable helper. As one of the 2026 Paralympic Service Dogs, he supports her both on and off the field. Reid often thanks Odell, saying she’s lucky to have him and that he has changed her life.
Ⅳ. Gigi
Gigi is the service dog of Taryn Dickson, a Royal Australian Navy officer and 2026 Winter Paralympics skier. Dickson was a cyclist before switching to winter sports due to a degenerative eye disease. Gigi joined her through Australia’s Defence Community Dogs program for military personnel.
The pair have now been together for five years, a bond that has spanned more than half of Dickson’s military career. She has spoken with pride about the five years of seamless companionship and understanding between her and Gigi.
Ⅴ. Willow
Australian athlete Matt Brumby is a former Royal Australian Navy serviceman, discharged in 2001 with a spinal injury. He competes in triathlons and now takes part in the Winter Paralympics. As one of the Paralympic Service Dogs, Willow met him at the 2018 Invictus Games and they have been inseparable.
For years, Willow has been more than just a capable assistant to Brumby on the slopes; it is his closest companion in life. Willow is often featured on Brumby’s social media, documenting every step of their journey training side by side and heading to competitions together.
Ⅵ. Suki
Dave Miln is another Australian Winter Paralympian with a naval background, competing in skiing. In December 2022, he became a double amputee while saving his daughter from a snow groomer. The tragedy left his whole family with PTSD.
Shortly after the accident, service dog Suki joined the family and became their caring guardian. Unlike most service dogs that help only one person, Suki looks after all four family members. Miln says Suki is amazing and has exceeded everyone’s expectations.
These Paralympic Service Dogs never reach the podium at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, but they are the athletes’most loyal supporters. They assist with movement, comfort the athletes, and ease pressure with faithful company. After strict training, they truly deserve our applause and a special medal.
