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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

Dogs On Call

Dogs On Call serves the patient, visitor, and staff populations of the VCU Medical Center by providing therapy dog visitation and animal-assisted therapy.

Dogs On Call is a volunteer-based therapy dog program of the non-profit The Center for Human-Animal Interaction (www.facebook.com/humananimalinteraction) at Virginia Commonwealth University. Therapy dog and handler teams visit as volunteers, at no cost to patients and their families, with the aim of enhancing the health and well-being of a myriad of clinical populations. Visits are provided nearly everywhere throughout the VCU Medical Center, with the exception of operating rooms, delivery rooms, and where contact precautions are in place. Participating therapy dogs must be certified and continually meet set standards for temperament, obedience, and hygiene. Together, volunteers and their therapy dogs work to satisfy safety requirements so that they can provide this important service. The DOC Program is an evidence-based practice, supported by research conducted both internally and externally to the VCU Medical Center. Research conducted by the Center for Human-Animal Interaction, often involving visiting DOC teams, continues to uncover benefits patient and staff benefits from their visits as well as from other forms of human-animal interaction.

11/20/2025

Today’s research focus explores the long-term benefits of early childhood exposure to animals. Findings suggest it is related to the development of empathy, reduced occurrence of allergies, and improved social-emotional development. Understanding these connections helps us advocate for positive human-animal interactions from a young age.

[Image Alt Text: A graphic about the long-term benefits of early childhood exposure to animals. The photo shows a young child in a hospital bed petting a therapy dog. A smiling woman is kneeling next to the dog, also petting it. The text "long-term benefits of early childhood exposure to animals" is overlaid on the image.]

11/17/2025

Happy Take A Hike Day! Grab your leash and hit the trails with your favorite hiking buddy! Getting outdoors and staying active with your dog is fantastic for both your physical and mental well-being. Share your favorite local dog-friendly trail!

[Image Alt Text: A graphic for "Take a Hike Day." A corgi wearing a blue therapy dog vest stands on a rock on a mountain path, with green hills and a bright sky in the background. The text "TAKE A HIKE DAY" is in a large font on the right, with "GRAB A LEASH AND GO!" below it.]

11/14/2025

Clarke has assisted with surgery; well, not exactly, but he has helped an anxious patient relax before heading into the operating room and was there to greet the patient upon waking up. Being there to support patients and families in those difficult moments is why we volunteer.

- Shared by Dogs on Call handler Kim

[Image Alt Text: A graphic titled "From the DOGS ON CALL files," featuring a black doodle named Clarke. The graphic includes three photos: the top right shows the dog receiving pets in a hospital room, the bottom left shows the dog with two smiling women, and the bottom right is a close-up portrait of the dog outdoors.]

11/11/2025

On Veterans Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to all who have served our nation. We also recognize the profound bond between veterans and their service dogs and pet dogs, who provide unwavering support and comfort. Thank you for your sacrifice and service.

[Image Alt Text: A graphic for Veterans Day. The words "Thank You VETERANS" are at the top, followed by the date "11 November 2025." A dog with a small American flag in its mouth is running, with a silhouette of a saluting person in front of a large American flag.]

11/07/2025

Today is National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day, a critical part of Pet Cancer Awareness Month. Lymphoma is a common canine cancer, but early detection can make a significant difference. Talk to your vet about symptoms and screening. Together, we can fight for our dogs’ health.

[Image Alt Text: A graphic for National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day. The background is a light, world-map pattern. Two light-green awareness ribbons are shown in the foreground. The text reads "NATIONAL CANINE LYMPHOMA AWARENESS DAY."]

11/04/2025

Today is Election Day! Your voice matters. Head to the polls and make your vote count. When you get home, we’re sure your furry co-pilot will be ready to greet you, no matter the outcome.

[Image Alt Text: A graphic for "Election Day 2025." The top of the image shows a waving American flag with stars. Below that, a dog's paw is shown in the foreground, pressing down on a paper ballot with a checkmark in one of the boxes. The text "ELECTION DAY 2025" is large and prominent.]

11/02/2025

Don’t forget: Daylight Saving Time ends tonight! Enjoy that extra hour of sleep (or an extra hour of snuggles with your pup!). While we adjust, remember your dog’s routine might shift too. Give them a little extra patience and love.

[Image Alt Text: A graphic with two dogs, a dachshund and a golden retriever, on top of a car resembling the DeLorean from Back to the Future. The car is on a road with fire trails behind it, and a beam of light shoots into the starry sky. The text "LET'S GO BACK IN TIME" is featured, with a smaller line below noting that "Daylight Savings Time Ends" on "November 2, 2025."]

11/01/2025

Welcome to November! This month brings crucial awareness to two important topics: Pet Cancer Awareness Month and Senior Pet Month. Let’s commit to early detection for cancer and providing the best care for our wise, older companions. Close observation of changing behaviors and regular vet check-ups are key for both!

[Image Alt Text: A graphic for Pet Cancer Awareness Month and Senior Pet Month. On the left is a purple circle with a yellow ribbon and a red heart. On the right, a portrait-style photo shows the head and shoulders of a tan dog looking slightly to the side. The titles "Pet Cancer Awareness Month" and "Senior Pet Month" are on the top left and top right of the graphic.]

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from our Dogs on Call teams! Remember to keep your pets safe this spooky season. Keep candy out of reach and help your dog join the fun by sporting a fun bandana instead of a cumbersome or restrictive costume. Have a fa-boo-lous and safe night!

[Image Alt Text: A Halloween graphic with the text "HAPPY HOWL-OWEEN" across the top. Below the text, a group of five therapy dogs of different breeds stand together on a cloudy, misty surface. The bottom text reads "FROM THE PUPS AT DOGS ON CALL." The image is framed by spiderwebs and a spider.]

10/29/2025

Did you know that animal-assisted therapy can significantly reduce perceived pain levels in patients? Understanding this helps us refine our Dogs on Call program for maximum impact.

[Image Alt Text: A graphic with the title "Animal-Assisted Therapy" and the text "can significantly reduce perceived pain levels in patients." The graphic is a collage of six photos showing therapy dogs visiting patients in a hospital setting. The photos show various dogs interacting with people of different ages, some in beds and others in chairs.]

10/18/2025

It’s National Fetch Day! Time to grab a ball and head outside with your furry friend! Playing fetch isn’t just fun; it’s a fantastic way to bond, keep your dog active, and reinforce positive behaviors. What’s your dog’s favorite fetch toy?

[Image Alt Text: A graphic for National Fetch Day. The image shows a small brown dog running happily through a grassy field toward the camera, with a yellow ball and a person in the blurry background. The text "Happy NATIONAL FETCH DAY" is in a script font.]

10/13/2025

Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We honor the rich history, diverse cultures, and enduring contributions of Indigenous peoples. We acknowledge the traditional connections to land, community, and all living beings, including the animals who have shared their journeys through generations.

[Image Alt Text: A graphic for Indigenous Peoples Day. The background is a vibrant purple with orange flowers and butterflies. The text reads "October 9 is INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY" in large, orange and yellow letters.]

Address

1200 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA
23298

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Website

https://chai.vcu.edu/gift-and-support-/

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