No clouds are visible in the Carolina blue sky as the sun beats down upon Boshamer Stadium. The concourse is filled with music as the team lines up in front of the dugout. From a distance, it appears to be a typical spring day of baseball at the UNC, except for the golden tail peeking out of the Tar Heels’ lineup.

The Fluffiest UNC Assistant

Remington is the first athletic training room assistance dog for both the UNC and the Atlantic Coast Conference. The golden retriever serves as a psychiatric medical alert facility rehabilitation service dog alongside the head athletic trainer of the baseball team, Terri Jo Rucinski.

Remington was born at paws4people, Inc. in Wilmington, North Carolina, a non-profit organization that breeds, trains, and places assistance dogs with clients. According to the foundation, these dogs have one or more certifications to assist in areas such as mobility, psychiatric service, rehabilitative assistance, and therapeutic visitation.

The day begins at 7:45 a.m. in the physical therapy clinic for the duo. Remi goes to the athletic training room at Boshamer Stadium in the afternoon to spend time with the athletes during their treatments. Remi works with a variety of sports teams, including lacrosse, soccer, and gymnastics, in addition to baseball.

Rucinski says his help in the training area varies, from opening and closing the refrigerator to getting a drink for the athlete to returning the ball to them during throwing workouts. But there are moments when he’ll just be a dog, hopping into the players’ beds as they undergo treatments and detecting when they need him.

Dalton Pence, a pitcher for the UNC, blew up his elbow during his senior year of high school and underwent Tommy John surgery. Pence’s start to his collegiate career had been postponed, and Remington was there to hear the news.

“Remington, Reporting for Duty!”

Pence says that Remington is always there, by his side, so just knowing that settled the stress and anxiety a little bit. He also says that an athlete who has come back from a significant injury has a lot of mental blocks and the dog helped him get through some of them. It’s a really big confidence booster.

Mental problems among people aged 12 to 25 have increased in recent years, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental health problems are the second greatest cause of mortality among people aged 15 to 34.

There is friction between players about whether the NBA season should restart. With some in favor of a restart, others are hesitant to resume the season at all. With so much on the line, the NBA’s fate may well be in the hands of its talisman, LeBron James.

Time to Get Back to the Court

The NBA laid out initial plans to restart the season in a 22-team league in Orlando on July 30. The NBA’s season was suspended in March, and union reps have reportedly unanimously agreed to resume the league in July. It’s understood that Chris Paul led a private call with some of the league’s top stars, including LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The players on that call were seemingly in favor of the league resuming, but not everyone agreed with them.

Opposition

Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving has led the opposition from some players to the league restarting. Irving argues that players are at an increased risk of injury after a long layoff, and resuming the season may detract from social issues throughout the United States. There are also claims that living in the restrictive bubble of Orlando would put many players off from resuming action on the court.

Who Holds the Power?

With the possibility of both camps going head to head over their preferred outcomes, LA Clippers star Patrick Beverley believes LeBron James holds all the power. Beverley said in a tweet that if James is “hooping” then everyone will be, adding that it wouldn’t be personal but just business. James’ Lakers are leading the Western Conference and are among the favorites to take the NBA championship, so he has everything to play for.

While not every player may agree with him, it seems if LeBron James wants the league to restart, most players will follow him. Some players do not agree, but there’s every chance the NBA will side with James in this argument.