Sheltering Arms Institute

01/14/2026

This new year, learn how regular movement can support brain health, memory, and thinking, making it beneficial for both the body and mind.

01/13/2026

It’s Technology Tuesday!💡The Bioness Medical Vector Body-Weight Support System is a highly utilized device at Sheltering Arms Institute in both our inpatient rehab hospital and outpatient centers. This dynamic body-weight support system has an overhead track that is mounted in the ceiling to help people improve balance or regain the ability to walk after an injury, surgery, or neurological event within a safe and controlled environment. Check out this video to see this innovative rehab technology in action!

01/12/2026

Today, we cut the ribbon and celebrated the grand opening of our 4th floor, the new home of our spinal cord injury unit – the Dallas Disbro Ability Center! 🎉✂️ We heard inspiring remarks from Dallas Disbro, volunteer, patient advocate, and board member, as well as patient graduate Maddie Saunders, both of whom highlighted the impact that specialized physical rehab services had on their lives following spinal cord injury. Our new 30-bed unit will enhance access to care that will help people achieve their most complete recovery. Stay tuned for a before-and-after look at how this space was built out to best serve our community!

01/08/2026

We’re proud to announce the completion of a major milestone at Sheltering Arms Institute! Our new 30-bed unit will increase access to inpatient physical rehabilitation care across Virginia and beyond, making us one of the largest rehab hospitals on the East Coast. 🏥 Click below to learn more about this expansion!

RICHMOND, Va. (January 6, 2026) — Sheltering Arms Institute, a collaboration with VCU Health, has successfully completed a 30-bed expansion of its freestanding inpatient physical rehabilitation hospital, increasing capacity to […]

01/06/2026

Our nursing team rang in 2026 with a special New Year’s Day lunch! We are incredibly grateful for our nursing team members who show up with compassion and dedication every day and night, especially during the holidays, spreading cheer to patients who spent this season with us. ❄️☃️

#2026

01/05/2026

Exciting news for spinal cord injury rehabilitation! 📢 We are excited to announce that we are the first facility in Central Virginia to now offer the ARC-EX System from ONWARD Medical – the first and only FDA-approved, non-invasive technology clinically proven to improve hand strength and sensation for people living with a chronic SCI. Visit our newsroom to learn how this groundbreaking device is used, how our clinicians are integrating it into therapy, the outcomes patients are experiencing, and how to schedule an evaluation.

RICHMOND, Va. (January 5, 2026) — Sheltering Arms Institute is excited to announce it has obtained the groundbreaking ARC-EX System from ONWARD Medical, becoming the first facility in Central Virginia […]

01/02/2026

Community outing time for Doug! 🚗 When recreational therapist, Sarah-May, and physical therapist, Becca, asked Doug where he wanted to go to practice the skills he’s been working on in therapy, he chose Wawa and Wegmans ☕️🏪🛒 He was excited to get out into the community and put his walking and balance skills to the test, showing just how much progress he’s made – way to go, Doug! 💪

12/31/2025

12/30/2025

Alex was in his car waiting behind a bus stop when a tractor-trailer hit his car at 60 miles per hour, causing him to experience a spinal cord injury that paralyzed from the neck down. He spent 2 weeks in acute care and, once medically stable, he came to Sheltering Arms Institute for inpatient rehabilitation with the goal of regaining independence and relearning how to walk and use his hands.

Right after the accident, Alex had no feeling in his arms or legs. Through his hard work and dedication alongside his care team, he has been making progress every day. During his time here, he’s utilized advanced rehab technology such as the Hocoma Lokomat to support his recovery.

“This place has been amazing. I wouldn’t be doing what I am now without them,” Alex shared. “They’ve given me the best chance of healing myself and regaining my independence.”

Alex plans to continue building on his progress in outpatient therapy. We are so proud of you, Alex! Keep up the great work 💪

12/29/2025

Attention all caregivers! 🚨 We are offering our next Powerful Tools for Caregivers class, a free 6-week class series designed to help you care for your own physical & mental well-being while caring for a loved one 🫂 Participants will learn ways to reduce stress, improve self-confidence, manage time, access community resources, and more.

🗓️ When: Each Tuesday from Jan. 13 – Feb 17 | 1-2:30 p.m.
📍 Where: In-person at Sheltering Arms Institute’s Main Campus (2000 Wilkes Ridge Dr., Richmond, VA 23233) or join virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Visit https://shelteringarmsinstitute.com/event/caring-for-the-caregiver-2-2/2026-01-13/ to register today.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a six-week class series held once a week. This program will give you the skills to take care of yourself while caring for your loved one. By taking care of your own mental and physical health, you can be a better caregiver.

12/26/2025

We are excited to announce that we have added the Lexo® Robotic Gait Training Device by Tyromotion Advanced Rehabilitation Technology to our advanced rehab technology repertoire at our newly renovated Bon Air Outpatient Center—just one of only two facilities on the East Coast to offer this groundbreaking technology!

The Lexo® provides robot-assisted gait training, helping individuals regain mobility and improve walking patterns through highly customizable, evidence-based therapy. Our therapists are completing training with this innovative system that offers precise adjustments for speed, weight support, and step length, ensuring a safe and effective experience tailored to each person’s needs.

This milestone underscores our commitment to delivering state-of-the-art care and expanding access to advanced rehabilitation solutions for our community.

Stay tuned for more details on how this device will enhance our therapy programming and support patients in their recovery journeys!