The Center for Human-Animal Interaction

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Richmond, VA
The Center for Human-Animal Interaction

The Center for Human-Animal Interaction at VCU School of Medicine is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization housed in the Department of Psychiatry.

Founded in June 2001, our mission is improved health and well being through human-animal interaction. CHAI's research goal is to increase knowledge of the benefits of the human-animal interaction through interdisciplinary research. We are a recognized pioneer in the area of researching health benefits of human-animal interaction with many studies published internationally in scholarly journals. CHAI's clinical goal is to enhance health and well being through animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and pet visitation. Our popular therapy dog program, Dogs On Call (www.facebook.com/dogsoncall), provides visits to patients throughout the VCU Medical Center and our research documents the positive impact of these visits. We also provide pet loss counseling groups for clients of participating veterinary and other facilities. CHAI's educational goal is to improve understanding of the benefits of the human-animal interaction. We provide guest lectures in educational settings, occasional practicum or internships, and are often invited to make presentations to local, national, and international audiences.

09/15/2025

Only 3 days until “Pups on the Plaza”! We’re getting the music ready and our Dogs on Call teams are practicing their best “hello!” We can’t wait to see everyone for this special day. Mark your calendars.

🗓️ Thursday, September 18, 2025
⏰ 11am-2pm
📍 In front of MMEC, 1201 East Marshall Street

[Image Alt Text: A promotional poster for "Pups on the Plaza." Two Polaroid-style photos show therapy dogs, one with a smiling golden retriever and another with a spotted dog wearing a bandana. The main text announces "Only 3 Days!" and provides the event's date and location. A line at the bottom mentions that the first 200 lunch tickets are from Holiday Barn Pet Resorts.]

09/15/2025

Today is your last chance to get t-shirts before “Pups on the Plaza”! Our team is at the Main Hospital Kiosk until 2pm. Dogs on Call teams are there, too! Come support the Center for Human-Animal Interaction and enjoy a day filled with dogs, food, and music! See you there!

[Image Alt Text: A promotional poster for "Pups on the Plaza." A bright "TICKETS" sign is at the top. Below the sign, a white dog and a dalmatian are shown, with the text "Pups on the Plaza" and details about a pre-sale event.]

09/14/2025

Today, on National Pet Memorial Day, we take a moment to remember the Dogs on Call dogs and other cherished companions who have crossed the rainbow bridge this year. The love we share with our pets is eternal, and their paw prints remain forever on our hearts. Share a memory of a beloved pet below, if you feel comfortable.

[Image Alt Text: A graphic for National Pet Memorial Day with six portrait photos of different dogs. The dogs are named Tobias, Remy, Callie, Otis, Hairy Harry, and Clifford. The photos are arranged around the text "NATIONAL Pet Memorial Day."]

09/14/2025

Can you feel the excitement building? This is your final reminder that our last “Pups on the Plaza” pre-sale is tomorrow! Get your tickets and join us for a paw-some day of fun.

Pre-sale details:
🗓️ Thursday, September 15, 2025
⏰ 11am-2pm
📍 Main Hospital Kiosk

[Image Alt Text: A promotional poster for "Pups on the Plaza." A "TICKETS" sign with bright lights is in the top half of the image. Below it, two dogs, a golden retriever and a black and white dog with big eyes, are shown against a blue background. The text announces a pre-sale for tickets.]

09/11/2025

Only 1 week until “Pups on the Plaza”! We’re getting the music ready and our Dogs on Call teams are stretching for all the love they will be sharing! Mark your calendars.

[Image Alt Text: A "Pups on the Plaza" promotional poster announcing, "1 Week Until..." The main image is a smiling golden retriever. To the right are three Polaroid-style photos showing a child and a dog, a person's hands petting a dog, and a smiling bald woman with a dog on her lap. The poster provides event details, including the date, time, and location.]

09/11/2025

It’s here! The first day of our “Pups on the Plaza” pre-sale is happening right now! Come say hi to our amazing Dogs on Call teams, grab your tickets, and get ready for the big event on September 18th. We’re at the Main Hospital Kiosk until 2pm!

[Image Alt Text: A "Pups on the Plaza" promotional poster. At the top is a movie marquee-style sign with the word "TICKETS" in red and white lettering, surrounded by light bulbs. Below the sign, two therapy dogs, a fluffy white one and a golden retriever, look at the camera. Text in the center announces the event's ticket pre-sale date and time.]

09/11/2025

On Patriot Day and First Responders Day, we honor the heroes who serve and protect our communities every day. We recognize the invaluable role service animals and therapy dogs often play in supporting these courageous individuals, bringing comfort in times of crisis and healing. Thank you to all who serve.

[Image Alt Text: A graphic honoring Patriot and First Responders Day. The background is an American flag with six stars. A circular blue emblem with the date "9.11" and a silhouette of the New York City skyline is in the center. The bottom text reads "PATRIOT & FIRST RESPONDERS DAY."]

09/10/2025

Get ready to wag your tails! Our “Pups on the Plaza” pre-sale is kicking off tomorrow. Don’t miss your chance to snag your t-shirt while supplies last.

Pre-sale details:
🗓️ Thursday, September 11, 2025
⏰ 11am-2pm
📍 Main Hospital Kiosk

We can't wait to see you there!

[Image Alt Text: A "Pups on the Plaza" promotional poster. A bright movie marquee-style sign for "TICKETS" is in the top half of the image. Below it, two dogs are shown in blue filter, a small fuzzy one on the left and a larger one with its tongue out on the right. The text announces "Pre-Sale Tomorrow!"]

09/09/2025

Happy National Grandparents Day! We’re celebrating the wisdom, love, and joy grandparents bring to our lives (even the puppy grandparents). Did you know therapy dogs often bring immense comfort and companionship to older adults? This month is also National Service Dog Month, honoring the incredible canines who provide life-changing support. Share your favorite memory with a grandparent or a special dog!

[Image Alt Text: A graphic for Grandparents' Day and National Service Dog Month. A smiling, fluffy white therapy dog is in the foreground, with the text "Happy Grandparents' Day!" and "& National Service Dog month" in large, bold font over a yellow and white sunburst background.]

09/08/2025

Save the date! The “Pups on the Plaza” event is coming soon!

🗓️ Thursday, September 18, 2025
⏰ 11am-2pm
📍 In front of MMEC, 1201 East Marshall Street

[Image Alt Text: A promotional poster for "Pups on the Plaza." The top left has the title "Pups on the Plaza" over a smiling golden retriever. To the right are three Polaroids showing a child in a hospital bed petting a dog, a person's hands petting a dog, and a smiling bald woman with a dog on her lap. Text at the bottom provides event details, including pre-sale dates and a note about lunch tickets from Holiday Barn Pet Resorts.]

08/31/2025

We want to send a huge, heartfelt THANK YOU to Lisa Townsend, Robert Findling, and their lovely Chinese Crested dogs Roo and Mini, for their generous sponsorship in honor of Mini (pictured below). Your support means the world to us!

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: THANK YOU TO OUR CALENDAR SPONSORS. Multiple hands form a heart shape, with dog paws and parts of dogs visible around the edges. Inside the heart, the text reads 'Drs. Lisa Townsend & Robert Findling'. A fluffy dark-colored dog's head is visible in the bottom right of the heart. Below is 'Center for Human-Animal Interaction ®' and 'chai.vcu.edu'.]

08/29/2025

As August draws to a close, we reflect on a month filled with Paws-itive Memories. Here’s another!

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A shaggy, gray therapy dog named Zeke is shown with its mouth slightly open, appearing happy. To the left, a white text box contains a quote: 'I was walking down the hall when a physician asked if he might visit with my therapy dog, Zeke. I said, "Of course, he would like that very much." The next thing I knew, the physician was on the floor with his arms wrapped around Zeke. The physician sat there for a minute and then looked up at me and said, "You don't know how much I needed that!" I'll never forget that moment. It made me realize how the work our DOC pups do is important on so many levels and to so many people.' Below the quote is 'Shared by a Dogs on Call Handler'. Below is 'Center for Human-Animal Interaction ®' and 'chai.vcu.edu'.]

Address

1200 E Broad Street
Richmond, VA
23298

Website

http://www.chai.vcu.edu/

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Behavioral Health Services of Virginia
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Our Story

The Center for Human-Animal Interaction (CHAI) was established in the School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University in June of 2001, and was the first Center of its kind in the nation to be established in a School of Medicine. CHAI accomplishes its mission through several core programs and offered services.

CHAI's research goal is to increase knowledge of the benefits of the human-animal interaction through interdisciplinary research. We are a recognized pioneer in the area of researching health benefits of human-animal interaction with many studies published internationally in scholarly journals. CHAI's clinical goal is to enhance health and well being through animal-assisted interventions (AAI). Our therapy dog program, Dogs On Call (www.facebook.com/dogsoncall), provides visits to patients, their families and staff throughout the VCU Medical Center and other VCU Health facilities. Our research documents the positive impact of these visits with 99% of patients finding the visits helpful. CHAI's educational goal is to improve understanding of the benefits of the human-animal interaction. We provide guest lectures in educational settings, occasional practicum or internships, and are often invited to make presentations to local, national, and international audiences.