Megan Gustafson finds therapy in lovable Pancake
Aces backup center Megan Gustafson and Pancake. PHOTO: Las Vegas Aces
Aces’ backup center set to release “Pancake’s Passport,” a children’s book that chronicles the adventures she and her Corgi have been on since 2020
By W.G. RAMIREZ
Las Vegas Aces backup center Megan Gustafson didn't start her 2025 campaign how she'd hoped, as she suffered a lower left leg injury on the second day of training camp.
Along with her injury, Gustafson took a blow to her mental health, knowing part of her season was on the shelf before the preseason started.
For Gustafson, though, her lovable Corgi, Pancake, has been the perfect prescription when feeling low.
"Pancake's been with me through everything," said Gustafson, who appeared in 38 games last season, made seven starts and averaged 3.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. "Ups and downs, and it's not any different with treating this injury. So she's always been there for me, and I continue to lean on her and my support system as well. She's my therapy dog, for sure."
And when the 28-year-old says Pancake has been there, that includes WNBA stops in Dallas, Washington and Phoenix, not to mention overseas stints in Greece and England.
Gustafson's love for animals and knowing the effect they can have on kids, not to mention her fandom for Winnie the Pooh tales, led the 2019 second-round draft pick to write "Pancake's Passport," a children's book due out Aug. 20 and that was inspired by "big faith, little paws, and stories that travel the world," per the official website.
"She's brought me so much joy in my life, and I just wanted to spread that, and give hope to kids," Gustafson told WGRamirez.com on Tuesday. "Because this world is kind of crazy that we live in, especially this day and age, and to be able to give (children) a light, a book that is really positive, really uplifting, something that's so different from our world that we see today."
As the website describes, "a small but sweet Corgi named Pancake finds her life changed when she meets her best friend, Megan - a tall, talented professional basketball player. Though they’re an unlikely duo, Pancake and Megan become inseparable, bound by their shared sense of adventure and faith-led spirits."
Megan Gustafson’s “Pancake’s Passport” is set to be released on Aug. 20. PHOTO: Megan Gustafson IG
Gustafson said Pancake, who turned 6 years old on May 26, has been a difference maker in her life, especially as a professional athlete, and the pressure that comes with the job. Gustafson said she's suffered from anxiety since she was a child, and still does at times as a WNBA player.
"And I think having Pancake be able to greet me after a good game, after a bad game, everything in between, has really helped me mentally to reset for the next day," she said. "No matter what kind of day I have, she's always gonna be there to make me feel okay, and everything's gonna be all right."
It was her childhood anxiety attacks that led her into the area of children's books, wanting to give youths a safe space and comfort, knowing how much Pancake has given her solace many times.
Gustafson said she's come to realize there are so many people who don't understand what a dog - or any pet for that matter - can do for one's mental health.
"I just think if you look at the world from their perspective, their entire world is their owners," she said. "We have so many different focuses in life, but we're everything to them. And I think seeing it from their perspective, that's how we should live our lives."
Gustafson said she would love to extend her writing venture and turn "Pancake's Passport" into an ongoing series, continuing the duo's adventures in life with additional sequels.
"Traveling all the world, there's so many different opportunities and different adventures and places and things that Pancake can go on," Gustafson said. "So it's kind of interesting, too, with this book, it's not just one adventure, it's several. I compare it to Winnie the Pooh, where there are so many different adventures that those characters go on.
"It's kind of the same type of vibe that I wanted to do. So it's kind of a collection of bed stories too, for younger kids."
And if there's one message Gustafson could share with anyone battling mental health issues - whether they're kids, men or women, professional athletes - it's how relatable Pancake and her faith has been in her life, and can do the same for others.
"They really make everything better," she said. "And I'm not just saying that because Pancake is part of the book, or anything like that. But, she truly makes a huge difference in my life. Again, good times, bad times, she's always gonna be there for me. And it's a great reminder of God, because that's how he's always showing up for us in every situation. Every good situation, bad situation, trial, triumph - whatever it is, he's always there.
"He's always constant, and I think dogs are a great reminder of that type of faith."
