Students at Main Street School were delighted to welcome a special guest – a friendly, four-legged helper – to their school through the Giving Retriever Project. With the generous support of the Irvington Education Foundation, the students are thrilled to participate in the enrichment program, which introduces therapy and assistance dogs into the classroom.
The program is designed to promote essential life skills, such as social engagement, relationship building, perspective taking, self-advocacy and confidence building. During each session, students work cooperatively with their classmates and the dog to overcome training challenges, observe one another and learn from each other.
“We had an incredibly positive first session experience,” Principal Joyce Chapnick said. “We are making connections between our social-emotional learning work and the Giving Retriever Project throughout the year.”
The school’s involvement in the program supports the development of attributes outlined in the district’s Portrait of a Graduate. Through their work with the dogs, students learn the importance of clear and respectful communication—whether it’s guiding a dog through an exercise or teaching it a new task.
“Understanding both verbal and non-verbal cues is key to productive relationships,” Chapnick explained. “Training dogs is teaching students the importance of patience, empathy, and self-reflection. The program helps foster resilience and confidence and knowing that students are making a positive impact reinforces their journey toward becoming self-aware individuals.”
Each class will participate in the program monthly, providing students with regular opportunities to engage with the dog and reinforce their skills. They students also reflect on the experience by writing in their notebooks at the end of each session.
