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Therapy dog teams from Wetterau honored: Social Prize 2025 awarded!
Therapy dog teams from Büdingen and Friedberg will receive the Wetterau Social Prize 2025 for outstanding voluntary work.
Therapy dog teams from Wetterau honored: Social Prize 2025 awarded!
An important award was recently presented in the Friedberger Kreishaus: The volunteer “therapy dog teams” of the German Red Cross (DRK) are the proud winners of the Wetterau Social Prize 2025. Around 100 guests took part in the celebration, including the therapy dogs Frida and Luigi, who provided additional joy. The award ceremony, which was chaired by Marion Götz, the district councilor, highlighted the immense importance of the award winners for the community. The prize is endowed with 2,000 euros and recognizes outstanding commitment to voluntary social work, as FNP reports.
What makes the therapy dog teams so special is their tireless commitment. They regularly visit senior citizens' facilities in the Wetterau district to promote the well-being of the residents. A notable example of their work involves a boy who answered questions during a visit - a step he had never taken before. Through such experiences, the therapy dogs strengthen the self-confidence of school children and provide warmth.
Commitment to integration and participation
The members of the “Intercultural Competence and Integration” (IKI) association from Bad Nauheim received a special commendation of 500 euros. This association has been committed to supporting refugees since it was founded in 2015. IKI is not only involved in distributing food, but also offers language courses, help in finding accommodation and support in dealing with authorities and looking for a job. In the meantime, the association runs a second-hand department store and offers lunch for seniors. Mayor Klaus Kreß of Bad Nauheim particularly praised the integration of people from Ukraine through this association, as Wetteraukreis adds.
The awarding of the Wetterau Social Prize was accompanied musically by the “Klangmomente” choir from the “LiedGut” Ober-Schmitten singing club. After the official speeches, there was a social gathering with snacks where the guests could exchange ideas and enjoy the good atmosphere.
Therapy dogs make valuable contributions to our society. They are of great importance not only for people, but also for the community as a whole. The work of the therapy dog teams will be in greater focus again in the future, as Büdingen's mayor Benjamin Harris plans to make their commitment better known. Christina Paulencu, one of the active members of the team, was motivated by the prize and wants to continue to be there for the people in the region, as FNP reports.