The Lincoln International School in Buenos Aires celebrates Animal Day – which is April 29 in Argentina – with Gracie, a therapeutic poodle who has been transforming the emotional and social well-being of her students since April 2022.
Gracie, originally from Holland, has fully adapted to the school environment, fostering essential skills such as communication and resilience through the Paws to Care program. This project not only encourages Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), but also teaches students the importance of respect for animals.
Every day, Gracie walks the hallways of Lincoln School, greeting students and teachers with a friendly demeanor and wagging her tail. This morning routine has turned Gracie into a true symbol of joy and emotional support, vital for the educational community.
According to Melissa Cavender, the school’s librarian and the human who took her to school for the first time, “she is very nice: every morning Gracie runs from one place to another, spreading joy and saying good morning.” Thanks to these interactions, students learn to better manage emotions such as stress and anxiety, which makes them more motivated to learn.
In addition to being a scientifically proven source of comfort, Gracie contributes significantly to the development of emotional and social learning. Nada Collins, general director of the school, highlights its impact: “On this Animal Day, Lincoln will celebrate another year of working with Gracie, and her enormous contribution to the emotional well-being and learning of our students, remembering the special love and connection that animals can bring to our lives. This type of education is essential, as it prepares students to face future problems with empathy and understanding.
Gracie’s relationship with the Lincoln student body is also a reflection of her international training and her previous experience in the United States, where she worked as a volunteer in libraries and nursing homes.
This background has enriched her ability to interact with people of all ages and benefit them in their daily lives, making her an invaluable member of this Argentine school.
