Montgomery County proclaims Therapy Animal Appreciation Month; schools and volunteer handlers honored

Council President Natalie Fanny Gonzalez and Vice President Marilyn Balcom presented a proclamation on April 21 recognizing Therapy Animal Appreciation Month. The council acknowledged several local organizations and volunteer handler teams, including Fighters/Friends for Freedom, Pet Partners, Warrior Canine Connection and Dogs National Capital Therapy Dogs.

"This is love right here," Council President Gonzalez said as she introduced handler teams and volunteers who work in libraries, hospitals and schools. Vice President Marilyn Balcom thanked handlers and trainers for the volunteers' work connecting with students and residents: "It's the people, the trainers, the volunteers, the handlers... that really make this connection work."

Melissa Rean, a social worker who requested the proclamation, described the teams' roles in Montgomery County Public Schools and other settings: "I've seen firsthand what the impact is of the therapy dog visits in all of these locations ... they do this out of the love and the kindness of their hearts. They are volunteers and they put in countless hours." The council read a proclamation noting that therapy animal teams provide comfort for students, seniors, patients and veterans and proclaimed April 2026 as Therapy Animal Appreciation Month in Montgomery County.

Montgomery County Public Schools representatives were present; the proclamation thanked organizations and volunteers and encouraged residents to recognize therapy teams' contributions to mental health and community wellbeing.