Meet the Wag Makers

Beth Miller, Wagtown Founder & President
author, “Tucker Finds His Forever HOme,” and creator of SMART Dog Park

In September of 2016, after 27 years’ experience with strategic planning, advocacy marketing, graphics, teaching, public speaking, and brand development, Beth left a C-suite position to take a leap of faith. She decided to pursue an idea to create a nonprofit initiative to quantify, qualify, and promote responsible dog-friendliness in America like no one had done to date. 

Since then, she has conducted more than 600 face-to-face interviews in 18 states with thought leaders from economic development and animal advocacy to tourism and law enforcement. Beth and her partner in crime, Tom Everhart, led the nation’s largest dog-friendly research initiative and are creating a national movement to change the world, one wet nose at a time. 

Tom Everhart, Wagtown Chief Petting Officer

I doubt you’ll meet someone who loves dogs to his core quite like Wagtown’s COO and CPO (Chief Petting Officer). One of the first enthusiastic supporters, Tom Everhart brings his extensive history in process development and management, business development, and customer acquisition alongside none other than Apple guru Steve Jobs.

Tom is the backbone of the organization always there to make connections and get it done! Wagtown is leading a global movement for authentic and responsible dog-friendly people and communities.

If you’d like to get involved, raise your paw!

Sesto, the Fabulous service dog flunkie and vice president of wag mentoring

Sesto was created and born to be a service dog. His future was to be filled with patience, empathy, support, and unconditional love for someone special. He is 74% Golden Retriever and 26% Newfoundland. So he’s a goofy love bug with a sprinkle of that Newfy suspicion.

A service dog is bestowed the honor to improve the life of a person and give them better life journey. Those living with challenges have made a huge commitment and waited a long time. 4 Paws for Abilities has a rigorous training program that includes cognition development, service task training, and a fear free approach to new experiences.

Service dogs are working or on call 24/7/365. They are bonded to “their person” and cannot abandon care of them. It takes two years to develop a dog like that.

Sesto is the most amazing dog I’ve ever known. I know we all say that but he’s the GOAT. Despite a big financial, personnel, and volunteer commitment, he flunked because he exhibited guardian behavior. He’s so easy to train. He can learn something new with a single physical and verbal walk-through.

It is truly a shame that he won’t be serving his intended life-long pal. But, we surprisingly got to adopt him! He has always gone directly into hearts. Now he lives in the hearts of Wagtown founders Beth and Tom.

Wagtown Support Staff