Wags For Hope

🐾📚 What a great visit!

Wags For Hope therapy dog teams Max and Teddy visited Urbana Elementary School on Friday, June 6th, where they spent time with an excited third-grade classroom.

The students were thrilled to welcome these pawsome therapy dogs, sharing smiles, pets, and plenty of tail-wagging moments. Visits like these help create positive connections, reduce stress, and bring joy to students and staff alike.

Thank you to Urbana Elementary School for inviting us to spend part of the day with such an amazing group of students!

Check out the photos 📸 below and see all the fun we had!

🐾 SIT. STAY. PET. 🐾

FCPS Maryland

Wags For Hope was honored to attend Frederick Health's Summer Employee Giving Drive and help spread a little extra joy to the incredible employees who make a difference every day.

Dressed in their summer best, our therapy dog teams enjoyed visiting with staff members, sharing smiles, comfort, and plenty of tail wags. It was wonderful to celebrate a team that truly supports one another and embodies compassion, dedication, and generosity.

As Frederick Health kicks off its Summer Employee Giving Drive, we join in recognizing and thanking the amazing employees whose commitment impacts patients, the organization, and the community every day. Employee giving is just one of the many ways these individuals give back, and we are grateful to have been part of this special celebration.

Thank you, Frederick Health, for inviting Wags For Hope to share in the fun and appreciation. 💙🐾

🐾 Where in the READ will Wags for Hope be? 📚

Join us for a tail-wagging good time at Middletown Library for another special Sit. Stay. Read. event!

📅 Saturday, June 6, 2026
⏰ 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Middletown Library
31 E. Green St.
Middletown, MD 21769

Come spend time with the wonderful Wags for Hope therapy dog teams Mable, Raymond, and Rosie as they settle in for a story-filled morning of reading and relaxation.

Paw out a favorite book, get cozy, and Sit. Stay. Read. with our four-legged listeners who are all ears and ready to enjoy every page! 📖🐶

This program helps build confidence in reading while sharing the calm, comforting presence of therapy dogs—because sometimes the best audience has paws.

We hope to see you there for a fun, friendly, and furry reading adventure! 🐾

Frederick County Public Libraries Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) Friends of the Middletown Library

Where is Wags for Hope this Weekend?

Join us for a fun-filled morning at Furmont Days in Thurmont on Saturday, June 6! This event is open to all Wags For Hope teams, and we would love to see you there representing our organization and enjoying the festivities.

Wags For Hope will have an information table staffed by two of our members, so stop by to say hello, learn more about our therapy animal programs, and share the benefits of therapy animal visits with the community. Interested in joining Wags for Hope? Sign up at this event!

Bring your furry friends and take part in the exciting contests, including:
🐶 Best Costume
🎵 Doggie Musical Chairs
🐕 Best Trick & Stupidest Trick
😍 Owner/Dog Look-Alike Contest
🐾 Best Tail Wag
😆 Best Howler/Yodeler
🥰 Cutest Face
🎞️ Best Pet Photo Contest..and more!

📅 Saturday, June 6
⏰ 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Registration begins at 8:30 AM)
📍 Thurmont Historical Society Backyard
11 North Church Street, Thurmont, MD

Please remember:
✔️ Dogs must have proof of rabies vaccination.
✔️ Dogs must remain leashed except during certain contest activities.
✔️ Bring doggie waste bags.
✔️ Owners will be required to sign a waiver.

Come spend the morning enjoying the charm of Thurmont, meeting fellow dog lovers, and celebrating our four-legged friends at this beloved community tradition.

🐾 See you at Furmont Days! 🐾

Check out our Wags for Hope teams at Thomas Johnson Middle School! 🐾💚

On Friday, May 29th from 4:00–6:00 PM, Thomas Johnson Middle School hosted a special end-of-the-year celebration for their 8th graders, and we were excited to be part of it! Our therapy dog teams were there to help students relax, smile, and celebrate all of their accomplishments as they wrap up middle school.

Even more special, our therapy alpaca, Everlast, may also made an appearance! 🦙💫 He always brings extra joy and a little surprise factor that students absolutely love. There is something truly magical about having both therapy dogs and unique therapy animals together at community events like this—offering comfort, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

We are grateful for the invitation to share in this milestone celebration and to support students during such an exciting time in their lives. These moments highlight the powerful impact therapy animals have in building confidence, reducing stress, and spreading kindness.

Thank you for inviting us!

Sit. Stay. Pet. 🐾

📚🐾 On June 1st, Wags For Hope was honored to be invited to the Emmitsburg Elementary School Career Fair!

What an exciting day it was sharing with students what a therapy animal does and how therapy animal teams make a difference in our community. One of the most important lessons we taught was:

**"T is for Touch"** – You can touch a therapy animal! Therapy animals are specially trained and enjoy providing comfort, smiles, and companionship to those they visit.

Students learned about some of the places our teams visit, including Frederick Health Hospital, local libraries for our Read to a Therapy Dog programs, nursing homes, and most importantly, schools!

One student asked if we ever let the dogs run free. We explained that we always keep a leash in hand to help keep both our therapy animals and the students safe.

The students were thrilled to meet Team Lucy, CoCo, and Woodie**, and they especially enjoyed the special coloring pages created just for the event.

Thank you, Emmitsburg Elementary School, for inviting Wags For Hope to participate in your Career Fair. We had a wonderful time meeting everyone and sharing the important work of therapy animals!

🐾 Sit. Stay. Pet. 🐾

What a wonderful day at the Gateway To Wellness Event on May 30, 2026! 💚🐾

Wags For Hope therapy dogs Lucy and Happy had an amazing time meeting visitors, sharing smiles, and helping people take a moment to relax and recharge. We were also excited to have a surprise visit from Team Everlast, making the day even more special!

Therapy animals have a remarkable impact on our health and well-being. Spending just a few minutes with a therapy animal can help lower stress and anxiety, reduce blood pressure, boost mood, provide emotional comfort, and encourage positive social interactions. Their unconditional affection and calming presence can make a real difference in someone's day.

Throughout the event, we watched people of all ages smile, laugh, and connect while visiting with our therapy dogs. Whether someone needed a moment of comfort, a break from a busy day, or simply wanted to share a cuddle, Lucy, Happy, and Everlast were there to help.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit our teams and to the organizers of the Gateway To Wellness Event for promoting healthy living and self-care in our community.

Remember, sometimes the best wellness therapy comes with four paws and a wagging tail! 🐶💚

🌼🎗️ Wags For Hope Supports Cancer Survivors! 🎗️🌼

In partnership with Frederick Health, Wags For Hope is honored to participate in the National Cancer Survivors Day Celebration, "Growing a Garden of Survivorship," on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the Frederick Health Village (Classrooms B128 & B133).

This special event celebrates and supports all members of the cancer survivor community — those newly diagnosed, currently in treatment, living beyond cancer, as well as their families, friends, and caregivers who have been part of their journey.

Be sure to stop by and meet our wonderful therapy animal teams! Our therapy animals not only attend special events with Frederick Health, but also make regular visits to Frederick Health Hospital and the James M. Stockman Cancer Institute, bringing comfort, smiles, encouragement, and emotional support to patients, families, and staff.

🐾 Benefits of visiting with a therapy animal include:
💙 Reducing stress and anxiety
💙 Providing comfort and emotional support
💙 Boosting mood and happiness
💙 Encouraging social interaction
💙 Promoting relaxation and calmness
💙 Helping improve confidence and focus
💙 Bringing companionship and plenty of smiles

Event highlights include:
🌻 Sharing stories of survivorship
🌻 Connecting with fellow survivors
🌻 Celebrating personal milestones
🌻 Honoring support systems
🌻 Building a stronger community of hope and healing

No registration is required — simply come as you are and join this meaningful celebration of strength, resilience, and survivorship.

We look forward to seeing you there! 🐾💙

The Frederick News-Post Frederick Health

💙🐾 Wags for Hope is incredibly grateful for the generous support of our community!

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Vinores Financial Services and Peak Benefits Group for their generous donation to Wags for Hope. We were honored to attend their annual golf event alongside Blessings in a Backpack Frederick Chapter and Get Kids Outside.

Donations like these help us continue our mission of bringing the comfort, joy, and healing power of therapy animals to people throughout Frederick County. Your support helps our teams provide visits to Frederick County schools, libraries, Frederick Health Hospital, the James M. Stockman Cancer Institute, nursing homes, community events, and many other special requests.

Lucy especially enjoyed spending the day at the beautiful golf course, meeting golfers, sponsors, and community members. She loved making new friends, sharing smiles, and representing the wonderful work of Wags for Hope throughout the event! 🐶⛳❤️

Because of your generosity, our therapy animal teams can continue making a positive impact on the lives of children, patients, seniors, healthcare workers, and community members who benefit from the unconditional love and companionship our animals provide.

Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us bring healing paws, smiles, comfort, and hope to those throughout Frederick County, Maryland. We truly appreciate your support!


Vinores Financial Services Peak Benefits Group Blessings in a Backpack Frederick Chapter
Get Kids Outside

🌿✨ TOMORROW! Take a Break for YOU! ✨🌿

Come meet Lucy and Happy at Wags For Hope! 🐾💚

📍 Gateway To Wellness Event
🗓️ Saturday, May 30th (TOMORROW!)
⏰ 10 AM – 1 PM
📌 The Vault, 4 W Main St., Thurmont, MD 21788

Join us for a day focused on feeling good inside and out — naturally! Explore local wellness vendors, connect with professionals, and discover simple ways to support your mind, body, and spirit.

🌸 Featuring: massage, yoga, reiki, acupuncture, mental health resources, facials, wellness products, financial services & more!

🐶 Wags For Hope will be there with our therapy animal teams! Stop by to meet Lucy, Happy, and friends and experience the comfort and joy therapy animals bring.

💚 Benefits include: • Reducing stress & anxiety
• Boosting mood
• Providing emotional support
• Encouraging social interaction
• Promoting relaxation & confidence

Take a moment for YOU — relax, recharge, and smile with us tomorrow! 🐾✨