The Australian Paralympic Winter Team has three companion dogs described by their owners as the canine equivalents of Lara Croft, Margot Robbie and any woman who loves showing their cheeky side.
So, meet Gigi, Willow and Suki – they’re the three main reasons the Australian Para Nordic team is one of the most popular in the Predazzo Paralympic Village at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
“She’s so friendly,” said Willow’s owner, Para athlete Matt Brumby.
“That’s why everyone has to say ‘hello’ to her because she’ll go right up to them and introduce herself anyway.”
Brumby is one of three Para Nordic skiers on the Australian team with a military background.
Dave Miln has Suki and Taryn Dickens has Gigi.
Dare we say it, but the dogs have been photographed, hugged and smiled at more than any of their owners – but the humans are used to it.
“This is Willow’s fourth international trip with me to get to competitions and training events,” Brumby said.
“I had her during the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney, so that’s eight years now and I’ve only been away from her twice. So, she’s getting around and getting quite a reputation.”
If she was ‘human’ Brumby had someone in mind who might reflect the same personality.
“It is a hard one because Willow can be absolutely crazy or she can be so reserved and well-mannered,” he said.
“I think she’d be like Margot Robbie, who seems to me to be able to play wild and fun people or be more serious when she has to.”
For Dickens, who has a degenerative eye condition, Gigi is part seeing-eye dog as well as a loyal and loving companion.
“Gigi would have made such a great mother if she’d had pups,” Dickens said. “She is always aware of everyone around her, not just me.
“The most beautiful thing about her is that she never lets me down no matter how distracted things can get around us.
“She always knows exactly where I am and how I’m feeling.”
Pinning her personality to a human character was easy for Dickens.
“Gigi is a Lara Croft – she’s up for everything and not scared of anything … wait a minute, she’s scared of the dark so maybe not 100 per cent Lara,” Dickens said.
“The thing with our dogs is they don’t go out much at night.”
Suki came into Miln’s life following a particularly harrowing time.
He and his two young daughters were involved in a serious accident with a snow plough, while on a family holiday in northern California in 2022.
“I’ve had Suki about two years now and she’s amazing. She’s a PTSD-based dog not only for me, but for my family too around the accident,” Miln said.
“She’s been such an amazing help and it’s hard to take her away from the family but having her here is incredible.”
Miln couldn’t settle on just one high-profile female worth of Suki’s likeness.
“She’s just cheeky. I don’t know who best describes her – think of anyone who’s that way inclined and that’s Suki.”
The three Labradors are accompanying their athletes to each day’s Paralympic competition at the Tesero Cross-Country Sports Stadium.
They happily reside in the heated wax cabin with comfy cushions and canine treats.
“I always say ‘Bye’ to her and make sure she knows I’m coming back,” Dickens said of leaving Gigi behind when she’s off to ski.
Dickens’ sighted guide Lynn Maree Cullen said the dogs brought smiles to everyone – athlete, official and spectator alike.
“All the countries here love having them around,” Cullen said. “They are such a great dynamic in our team too, bringing us all together in another way besides sport.”
The only member of the Australian Para Nordic team who is ‘dog-less’ in Italy is Summer Games gold medallist Lauren Parker.
“I do have one at home … I love dogs and the three of them are just gorgeous – beautiful personalities,” said Parker, who is making the transition from Summer Paralympics to Winter, becoming just the eighth Australian to do so in 50 years of the Winter Games.
“They just make you feel at home and calm,” she said.
“They take away the nerves and it’s so nice having them around.”
By Margie McDonald, Paralympics Australia.
Published 13 March, 2026.
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