Loch: A four-legged teammate for stressed student-athletes

By Aryle McCutcheon | Staff writer

When words fall short for student-athletes dealing with injury or stress, comfort sometimes comes on four legs.

For students at Augusta University, that four-legged comfort arrives in the form of Loch, a 6½-year-old golden retriever.

The idea to bring Loch into the athletic training environment came from assistant athletic trainer Lisa-Anne Cummins’ time at Queens University of Charlotte. (N.C.), where she noticed a therapy dog quietly helping students.

“That’s when it clicked for me,” she said. “I realized this could work here, too.”

After receiving approval from then athletic director Clint Bryant, who has since retired, Loch officially became part of the athletic training facilities.

“He just knows when someone needs him,” Cummins said. “There was a student-athlete who came in upset and injured, and Loch got up and put his head on them. You could actually see them start to calm down.”

Loch has been part of Cummins’s workday since he was six weeks old. She got him in 2019, just before COVID-19 reshaped Augusta University athletics. With students isolated and stressed, Loch became a steady, comforting presence.

“He was really important to our student athletes because of COVID and all the restrictions they were under,” Cummins said. 

It isn’t only Augusta University’s students that benefit from Loch, but other students as well. 

“When visiting teams come for games, they get disappointed if Loch isn’t there,” Cummins said.

Registered with the American Kennel Club, Loch trained through one-on-one sessions during the pandemic. While learning commands mattered, Lisa-Anne said his true strength is his calm, friendly demeanor. 

When asked if Cummins had any plans to expand the care Loch provides, she explained that she also has a 2-year-old Goldendoodle named Lorna, who is currently in training, but is still learning and working through separation anxiety. 

“We’re still figuring it out,” Cummins said.

Cummins plans to continue to have Loch brighten student-athletes’ days for a long time.

“He’ll retire when I do,” she said. 

Until then, Loch remains a loyal, calming presence offering comfort, joy and support to student athletes, one gentle nudge at a time.

Note: At the top of the page, Loch (R, resting of the floor) and Lorna serve in the athletic training room, helping AU athletes deal with the stresses that come with injuries and their long playing seasons. (photo by Aryle McCutcheon/the Bell Ringer)

 Contact Aryle McCutcheon at amccutcheon@augusta.edu.