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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.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from CHAI and Dogs on Call! May 2026 bring you health, happiness, and plenty of wagging tails. We’re excited for another year of promoting the human-animal bond and making a positive impact. What are your resolutions for a paws-itive year?

[Image Alt Text: A graphic for a New Year's celebration. Large, bold letters say "HAPPY NEW YEAR" in blue, with "2026" in white at the bottom. Fireworks are shown in the dark background.]

01/01/2026

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on all the amazing moments our Dogs on Call teams created, the research insights we gained, and the bonds we strengthened. Thank you for being part of our journey! Wishing you a safe and happy New Year’s Eve. See you in 2026!

[Image Alt Text: A graphic for New Year's Eve. A large, ornate clock is in the bottom half of the image, with a midnight blue background and fireworks-like sparks and streaming ribbons. The text says "NEW YEAR'S Eve" and "REMEMBER TO PREP FOR FIREWORKS AND PROTECT YOUR DOG."]

12/24/2025

Wishing everyone a very Happy Holidays from the Center for Human-Animal Interaction and our beloved Dogs on Call therapy dogs! May your season be filled with warmth, joy, and cherished moments with loved ones (both two-legged and four-legged!).

[Image Alt Text: A holiday graphic. The words "HAPPY HOWL-IDAYS" are in large white letters against a dark, blurry background of holiday lights and starbursts. A corgi with a blue therapy dog vest and bells on its collar is in the foreground.]

12/16/2025

‘Tis the season for holiday cheer! But what’s your dog’s FAVORITE part of the holidays? Is it the extra treats, the cozy naps by the fire, or maybe playing with new toys? Tell us below!

[Image Alt Text: A holiday graphic for the Center for Human-Animal Interaction. A red and green berry and leaf border frames a cream-colored background. The text reads "'TIS The Season" in a decorative font, with the question "WHAT IS YOUR DOG'S FAVORITE PART OF THE HOLIDAYS?" below it.]

12/11/2025

"Mic check, one two! 🎤🐾 Thank you Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU for inviting us to Radiothon, and to Mix981Richmond for putting our Dogs on Call program in the spotlight! We loved talking about the power of puppy love.

"

[Alt Text: A group photo showing four smiling people and a small, white fluffy therapy dog standing in front of a Mix 98.1 banner. A man in a blue hoodie holds the dog in the center. Overlaid graphics include a large microphone illustration on the left, the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU logo at the top, and text that reads "RADIOTHON" and "THANKS FOR INVITING US!"]

12/09/2025

On International Animal Rights Day, we affirm our commitment to promoting respectful and ethical treatment for all animals. At CHAI, we love our Dogs on Call dogs but we support and promote the well-being of all animals.

[Image Alt Text: A graphic for International Animal Rights Day. A large, side-profile photo of an Irish Setter therapy dog sitting and looking up is on the right. The text on the left says "International Animal Rights Day" and "9 December."]

12/05/2025

Once when Steve and his dog Bob entered a child's room, their mother said that now wasn't the ideal time for a visit but asked if we could return in a few minutes. Of course, Steve was happy to accommodate, but he motioned for the mother to come toward him. "Bob is here for you too." Immediately the woman began melting and she cried as she scratched Barb's ears. This was the mom's twenty seventh day in the hospital and she was clearly in need of a break. DOC teams tend to focus on patients, but they know that family members need them too.

- Shared by CHAI student Jenny

[Image Alt Text: A graphic titled "From the DOGS ON CALL files," featuring a therapy dog named Bob. The graphic includes three photos of Bob: the top right shows him visiting an older man in a hospital bed, the bottom left shows him lying on the floor with two women, and the bottom right is a happy close-up of his face.]

12/04/2025

Click the link below to attend an information session TONIGHT at 7:00pm!

🐾 Calling all dog lovers! 🐾

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become part of Dogs on Call, our therapy dog volunteer program at VCU Health? Join us LIVE on YouTube this evening at 7:00 PM for an info session and Q&A!

📺 Livestream Link:
👉 https://youtube.com/live/9NOwQCCYO00?feature=share
Learn how you and your dog can make a difference by bringing comfort and smiles to patients, staff, and students. Don’t miss this chance to get your questions answered and find out how to join our amazing team!

🐶 More info about Dogs on Call:
https://chai.vcu.edu/dogs-on-call/joining-dogs-on-call/

📞 Contact us:
Center for Human-Animal Interaction
Phone: 804-827-PAWS (7297)
Email: chai@vcuhealth.org

12/04/2025

Tonight is the Night! 🐾 Calling all dog lovers! 🐾

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become part of Dogs on Call, our therapy dog volunteer program at VCU Health? Join us LIVE on YouTube this evening at 7:00 PM for an info session and Q&A!

📺 Livestream Link:
👉 https://youtube.com/live/9NOwQCCYO00?feature=share
Learn how you and your dog can make a difference by bringing comfort and smiles to patients, staff, and students. Don’t miss this chance to get your questions answered and find out how to join our amazing team!

🐶 More info about Dogs on Call:
https://chai.vcu.edu/dogs-on-call/joining-dogs-on-call/

📞 Contact us:
Center for Human-Animal Interaction
Phone: 804-827-PAWS (7297)
Email: chai@vcuhealth.org

12/04/2025

🐾 Calling all dog lovers! 🐾 24 Hours Away!

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become part of Dogs on Call, our therapy dog volunteer program at VCU Health? Join us LIVE on YouTube tomorrow, December 4 at 7:00 PM for an info session and Q&A!

📺 Livestream Link:
👉 https://youtube.com/live/9NOwQCCYO00?feature=share
Learn how you and your dog can make a difference by bringing comfort and smiles to patients, staff, and students. Don’t miss this chance to get your questions answered and find out how to join our amazing team!

🐶 More info about Dogs on Call:
https://chai.vcu.edu/dogs-on-call/joining-dogs-on-call/

📞 Contact us:
Center for Human-Animal Interaction
Phone: 804-827-PAWS (7297)
Email: chai@vcuhealth.org

12/03/2025

🐾 Calling all dog lovers! 🐾
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become part of Dogs on Call, our therapy dog volunteer program at VCU Health? Join us LIVE on YouTube tomorrow, December 4 at 7:00 PM for an info session and Q&A!

📺 Livestream Link:
👉 https://youtube.com/live/9NOwQCCYO00?feature=share
Learn how you and your dog can make a difference by bringing comfort and smiles to patients, staff, and students. Don’t miss this chance to get your questions answered and find out how to join our amazing team!

🐶 More info about Dogs on Call:
https://chai.vcu.edu/dogs-on-call/joining-dogs-on-call/

📞 Contact us:
Center for Human-Animal Interaction
Phone: 804-827-PAWS (7297)
Email: chai@vcuhealth.org

12/02/2025

Today is ! Your support allows the Center for Human-Animal interaction to continue our vital research and expand our Dogs On Call therapy dog program, bringing comfort and healing to countless individuals. Every contribution makes a paws-itive impact!

Bond

[Image Alt Text: A "Giving Tuesday" graphic. A golden retriever with people petting it is in the foreground, with the text "GIVING TUESDAY" and "2 December." A white box contains a message about donating to the cause, a QR code, and a website address.]

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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