On Sunday, Nov. 1, nearly 60,000 runners will crowd into Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island for the start of the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, which this year marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic five-borough course.

Before the race, they will stretch, check their watches and try to manage the anxiety that comes before running 26.2 miles through New York City. Thankfully for them, four-legged friends that specialize in calming people will be there to greet them at the starting line.

For the past decade, New York Therapy Animals has stationed licensed teams of therapy dogs at the marathon’s start villages in what’s become one of the most beloved traditions on the morning of the race.

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Meet the Therapy Dogs Helping New York City Marathon Runners

This year, New York Therapy Animals and New York Road Runners are partnering again to bring 14 teams of volunteers and dogs to the start of the race. There will be teams across three start villages, Pink, Orange and Blue, working rotating shifts through the morning so runners can sit with the dogs before they take on the day’s challenge.

Runners can sit, pet the dog, talk to the handler, and for a few minutes forget they’re about to run a marathon through five boroughs.

“Both ends of the leash will simply enjoy having the runners pet the therapy dog, chat with the runners and be a good listener, helping to calm their nerves before running their big race,” says Nancy George-Michalson, founder and executive director of New York Therapy Animals.

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George-Michalson has organized therapy dog presence at the marathon since the program began, working closely with New York Road Runners on logistics, security and advocacy.

This year’s therapy dogs include:

• Ziggy, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, 5 years old
• Gali, a chocolate Lab, 5 years old
• Daisy, a pug, 5 years old
• Winston, a Cavapoo, 4 years old
• Scout, an Aussie/Labradoodle, 5 years old
• Murphy, a mini Bernedoodle, 6 years old
• Indiana Jones, a whippet/Dalmatian, 5 years old
• Matilda, a mini goldendoodle, 6 years old
• Izzy, a schnoodle, 5 years old
• MacDougal, a mini goldendoodle, 3 years old
• Banksy, an Australian shepherd/Labradoodle, 4 years old
• Tiny, a pug, 6 years old
• Penny, a mini goldendoodle, 5 years old
• Mogli, an Australian shepherd/Bernedoodle, 2 years old

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The Race Starts Early for Volunteers

Race day for the dog teams starts early. George-Michalson and her volunteers are up at 3 a.m., with a 5 a.m. bus pickup arranged by New York Road Runners to transport the teams to Fort Wadsworth. The dogs arrive in their own New York Road Runners jackets, hats and official credentials. Yes, the dogs get their own credentials.

Each team consists of a trained handler and their own licensed, insured therapy dogs, with veterinarians health-testing the dogs for safety and temperament.

“A good night’s sleep is imperative for both ends of the leash for a busy early morning ahead. The 3 a.m. alarm clock comes pretty fast,” George-Michalson says.

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Few Minutes With a Dog Means a Lot

Over the years, therapy dog teams have encountered runners experiencing everything from pre-race nerves to grief.

George-Michalson recalls meeting a man who had recently lost his beagle. Her therapy dog connected with him immediately and sat close. The runner eventually lifted his sweatshirt to reveal a T-shirt decorated with pictures of his beloved dog.

Many athletes have also found reassurance when they needed it the most, with the team collecting runner testimonials over the past decade.

“I could feel my blood pressure dropping petting the therapy dogs,” one runner told the team. Another said, “This is exactly what I needed.”

One story stands out in particular. A runner burst into tears after sitting with a therapy dog. She told the handler she was terrified she wouldn’t finish the marathon and would disappoint her family. After spending time with the dog, she said the experience gave her the strength to run, and that she knew her family was proud of her just for being there.

Runners from Japan, Belgium, Canada, England, the Czech Republic, New Zealand and the Netherlands have all passed through the therapy dog area over the years, many of whom traveled without their own pets.

“A lot of runners talked about how they missed their dogs back home, especially those traveling internationally, and so many of them showed pictures of their dogs,” George-Michalson explains.

Ten Years of Helping Runners

This year marks the New York City Marathon’s 50th anniversary of expanding into all five boroughs. And with thousands of runners preparing to make their way toward the Central Park finish line, the therapy dog teams are preparing for their own demanding morning.

These pups don’t have to run 26.2 miles to make a difference. Sometimes, all they have to do is sit beside someone who’s nervous, accept a few gentle pats, and remind them of the dog waiting back home.

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