Community Difference Maker

Wags For Hope

Nominated by: Kristi Wood

Community Difference Makers don’t just come in human form! This month we highlight a group of furry friends and their owners who are making an impact on the community.

Wags For Hope is a nonprofit organization that provides therapy animal visits to those in need of comfort and companionship. The organization currently has 64 volunteer teams who serve the local area. Each volunteer and their dog (and let’s not forget the therapy alpaca!) dedicate 10–20 hours a month visiting schools, libraries, healthcare facilities, and community events.

Some key visits include Frederick County Public Schools, where Wags For Hope therapy teams are a familiar and welcome presence. At Sabillasville Environmental School, Thurmont Middle School, and Catoctin High School, students and staff alike benefit from the calming support the animals.

The organization has also formed a unique partnership with the Thurmont Police Department, where a dedicated therapy dog provides comfort not only to officers and staff but also to members of the public who visit the station. This collaboration has strengthened relationships within the community and provided a meaningful boost to mental wellness.

Beyond schools and law enforcement, Wags For Hope is a regular participant at local events throughout Frederick County. Their therapy animals bring smiles wherever they go, offering the simple but powerful gift of connection.

One of their most popular initiatives is the “Read to a Therapy Dog” program at Frederick County Public Libraries. The participating dogs are READ-certified (Reading Education Assistance Dogs), specially trained to help children build confidence and improve literacy skills by reading aloud to a calm, nonjudgmental furry friend.

Wags For Hope also makes regular visits to Frederick Health Hospital, area nursing homes, and Hospice of Frederick County, where their teams bring comfort to patients, residents, and caregivers during challenging times.

To learn more about Wags For Hope or to invite a therapy team to your organization, visit www.wagsforhope.org.

If you know of an individual making an impact on our community (no matter how big or small), please nominate them by emailing news@thecatoctinbanner.com. They could be highlighted in a future issue.

From Wags for Hope Teams (from left): Yuri Dinh Team Aspen, Trish Crum Team Jax, Paul Kelly Team Luke, Savannah Cregger Jr. Handler Team Sparkle, Jennifer Hoffman Team Raymond, Kristi Wood Team Rico, Sue Ellen Stottlemyer Team Ruby, Joette Leonard Team Juno, Laura Schwartz Team Maya, Jamie Hendi Team Bentley, Risa Pegler Team Nellie.