BUENOS AIRES — On a recent Sunday, a plaza in Buenos Aires became an unexpected haven for a unique gathering of teenagers.

Among them was Sofía, who donned a realistic beagle mask and energetically bounded across the grass on all fours. Nearby, 15-year-old Aguara skillfully navigated an obstacle course, mimicking the agile movements of a Belgian dog breed. Meanwhile, others dressed as cats and foxes found perches in trees, maintaining a playful distance from intrigued spectators.

This event marked the latest meetup of “therians,” individuals who assert a mental, spiritual, or psychological connection with non-human animals.

In recent months, this phenomenon has captivated Argentine social media, particularly on platforms like TikTok. The hashtag #therian has amassed over 2 million posts, with Argentina leading the charge among Latin American countries in terms of engagement.

The trend has caught the attention of influencers and media outlets, eliciting a range of reactions from amusement and confusion to outright criticism.

As the movement continues to expand, psychologists are beginning to explore its implications and how it fits into broader societal conversations.

Aguara, who claims to identify as a Belgian Malinois and counts her age as the equivalent of two years and two months in dog years, says she’s a lot like any other teenager.

“I wake up like a normal person and live my life like a normal person,” she said. “I simply have moments when I like being a dog.”

As the leader of what she calls her “pack,” Aguara — the name she identifies with — boasts more than 125,000 followers on TikTok and coordinates regular meetups around the Argentine capital.

Aru, a 16-year-old who wore a seal mask to the park meetup, said she considers herself part of the “otherpaw” branch of therians: individuals who wear masks and tails or move on all fours just for fun. “It’s not necessarily about identifying as an animal,” she said.

She reckons the therian trend took off in Argentina because of the country’s “fairly free” environment. For other young Argentines, the movement has provided a vital community where they can feel truly accepted.

Should parents be worried?

Débora Pedace, a psychologist and director of the Integral Therapeutic Center in Buenos Aires, acknowledged that the phenomenon generates a complex mix of confusion, laughter, and even anger.

“From a psychological standpoint, this is a symbolic identification with an animal,” Pedace said. “It becomes pathological or alarming only when it turns into a deeply rooted belief and the person fully assumes the role of an animal, potentially leading to self-harm or hurting others.”