Babson College Welcomes New Community Resource Dog, Gracie

There’s an enthusiastic newcomer at Babson College, a playful go-getter who’s friendly, outgoing, and—like any good entrepreneur—eager to help solve any problem that comes her way.

Meet Gracie, a 5-month-old Goldador who has joined the Babson College Public Safety Department as a community resource dog. Much like Roger, the golden retriever who has served as Babson’s community resource dog since 2021, Grace will be on hand to welcome students and dole out puppy love as needed.

“She just loves people,” said Babson Public Safety Officer Nashley Gonzalez. Gonzalez, who has been with Babson Public Safety for nearly six years, spearheaded the initiative to bring another dog to the Wellesley campus.

“I’ve always loved dogs and working with people,” said Gonzalez. “It seemed like the perfect combination to enhance community engagement while also serving in public safety.”

Gonzalez’s journey to bring Gracie to Babson started three years ago when she began working closely with Officer Kevin Carrigan and Roger. Seeing the positive impact Roger had on the community, Gonzalez proposed the idea of bringing another trained pup to campus. However, it took a couple of years to secure the necessary approvals and funding.

“With the help of Babson’s alumni department, we created an animal resource fund,” Gonzalez explained. “The Babson community, including alumni, friends, family, staff, faculty, and students, donated generously to support this initiative.”

The Search for Gracie

Gracie, named after the wife of Babson College founder Roger Babson, was selected through a collaboration with Golden Opportunities for Independence (GOFI) and Diggity Dogs Service Dogs. While GOFI trained Roger, they do not breed black labs, which was Gonzalez’s preference. GOFI helped connect Gonzalez with Diggity Dogs in Greenfield, Massachusetts, where Gracie was found.

“I wanted a black lab for its temperament and community resource capabilities,” Gonzalez said. “Gracie, being a Goldador, is 75% Labrador Retriever and 25% Golden Retriever, which makes her perfect for the role.”

The canine has been in training to prepare for her duties ever since Gonzalez took Gracie home on May 6. The training program, which spans 18 months, includes rigorous assessments to ensure she is well-prepared for her responsibilities on campus.

“Gracie is very smart and has been excelling in her training. She is mellow, loving, and great with people,” Gonzalez noted. “She loves hikes, swimming, and loves chicken treats. She’s also very sociable with other dogs.”

Much like the real Roger and Gracie Babson, who met in grammar school, the canine namesakes found puppy love at first sight. Gonzalez brought young Gracie to meet Roger almost as soon as she brought the puppy home in May.

“I was a little nervous, because this has been Roger’s territory for years. I held Gracie and brought her over, and as soon as I saw Roger’s tail wag, I knew things were good,” Gonzalez said. “I let her go, and they instantly started playing together.”

A New Canine on Campus

Gracie’s presence at Babson is not just about providing companionship. She plays a crucial role in mental health support and community engagement. With Roger in high demand, having Gracie means the Public Safety Department can better meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff.

“We’re part of the community engagement team, and our job is to reach out and create programs and events for the Babson community,” Gonzalez said. “Roger’s impact has been incredible, and with Gracie, we can do even more.”

Although Gracie is still completing some training, she is on the job as of today, and she’ll attend various campus events to ensure everyone in the community has a chance to meet her. She will be present at move-in day, orientation, welcome week, and other key events, making her a visible and beloved part of the campus.

One of the highlights, Gonzalez said, will be Gracie’s swearing-in ceremony, planned for late August or early September. During this event, Gracie will be officially recognized as a member of the Babson Public Safety team and will receive her own badge.

Roger will continue his busy schedule and attend the same events as Gracie, just like he always has. Except that now, the dogs can split the crowd, ensuring no hand goes unlicked.

As Babson College continues to foster a supportive and inclusive environment, Gracie is set to become an integral part of campus life, bringing joy to everyone she meets. For now, that means daily, two-hour play sessions with Roger, but Gonzalez can’t wait for Gracie to meet everyone.

“We can’t wait to be out there for students, parents, really everybody and anybody,” Gonzalez said. “Seeing them play together and knowing that we have such strong support from the community makes all the hard work worth it.”

Posted in Community

Tagged Student Life, Campus

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