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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.

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.]

10/09/2025

It’s Animal Welfare Week! Beyond providing love and care, what’s one simple action you take to ensure the welfare of animals in your community? From advocating for responsible pet policies to teaching children when and how to interact with animals, every effort counts! Tell us below!

[Image Alt Text: A black and white photo of a person wearing a face mask bending down to pet a small dog. To the right, a large green block contains the text "Animal Welfare Week."]

10/06/2025

On Child Health Day, we celebrate the well-being of our youngest community members. Did you know interacting with therapy dogs can have incredible benefits for children’s emotional and physical health, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of calm? Our Dogs on Call teams witness these positive impacts daily!

[Image Alt text: A graphic with a photo of a therapy dog visiting a hospital. A young child in a pink shirt is looking at the camera, while an adult is on the left petting a golden retriever in the foreground. The graphic includes the text "Improve your child's health today" and a large title, "Child Health Day."]

10/02/2025

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the incredible Dr. Jane Goodall, a true pioneer who revolutionized our understanding of animals and the human-animal bond (and who's favorite animal was a DOG!). Her groundbreaking work has been a profound inspiration for all of us at the Center for Human-Animal Interaction, and we will honor her legacy by continuing to champion ethical research, conservation, and compassionate interaction. Our thoughts are with Jane's family, the Jane Goodall Institute , and all who were touched by her life's work.

[Alt Text: An image with a blue sky background and white clouds, featuring a memorial for Jane Goodall. Text at the top reads "IN MEMORIAM JANE GOODALL APRIL 3, 1934 – OCTOBER 1, 2025." A white dove flies in the upper right corner. In the center, Jane Goodall is shown sitting with a chimpanzee next to her. She is smiling and wearing a light green shirt and khaki pants. A quote to her left states, "The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves." At the bottom, "Center for Human-Animal Interaction ®" and "chai.vcu.edu" are displayed against a blue band.]

09/24/2025

We visited a young patient who was very excited to see Kris. She called him by her own dog's name and invited him for a "sleepover," which Kris happily obliged. As they snuggled up together on her bed, she kept whispering to Kris and smiling. They had their own conversation. I didn't interrupt.

- Shared by Dogs on Call Handler Kelly

[Image Alt Text: A graphic titled "From the DOGS ON CALL files," featuring a black lab named Kris Kringle McKringleberry. The graphic includes three photos: the top right shows the dog with a child, the bottom left shows the dog being petted by two women, and the bottom right is a close-up of the dog's face with snow on its fur.]

09/20/2025

Happy Responsible Dog Ownership Day! This is the perfect lead-in to National Dog Week, which starts tomorrow! Let’s celebrate the special bond we share and commit to being the best dog parents we can be. From regular vet visits to consistent training and great nutrition, every action makes a difference. What’s one thing you do as a responsible dog owner?

[Image Alt Text: A graphic for National Dog Week. A black and brown doodle is the featured photo. The graphic includes a large red paw print in the corner and the text "NATIONAL DOG WEEK."]

09/18/2025

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out to Pups on the Plaza today! It was a truly wonderful day filled with our amazing Dogs on Call teams, fantastic food, lively music, and the best community. Your support means the world to the Center for Human-Animal Interaction. We hope you had as much fun as we did! Stay tuned for updates on future events!

[Image Alt Text: A thank you poster for a successful "Pups on the Plaza" event. The main text on the right says, "THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL." The bottom left has the event title, "PUPS ON THE PLAZA." Two Polaroid-style photos show therapy dogs and people: the top shows a woman in a blue shirt with a brown dog on a chair, and the bottom shows a dog on its back receiving a belly rub. A thank you graphic dedicated to Holiday Barn Pet Resorts. The text at the top says "THANKS TO." Below that, the Holiday Barn Pet Resorts logo is featured on a dog bone-shaped background, with cartoon mascots of a cat and a dog on either side. A blurry photo of a person petting a dog is behind the logo. Text at the bottom explains that Holiday Barn covered the first 200 meals to support a research and therapy dog program.]

09/18/2025

Halfway through the fun at Pups on the Plaza and it’s been PAW-some! 🐾 So many happy faces (and wagging tails!). There’s still plenty of time to come down in front of MMEC until 2pm for more Dogs on Call, food, and music. Don’t miss out on the fun!

[Image Alt Text: A "Pups on the Plaza" promotional poster with the headline "HALFWAY THROUGH THE FUN!" The main text and event details are in the center. On the left are two Polaroid-style photos: the top one shows a man and a woman smiling and holding a small dog, and the bottom photo shows a person petting a smiling dalmatian.]

09/18/2025

It’s HERE! 🎉 Pups on the Plaza is officially kicking off in just 1 hour! Come join us in front of MMEC (1201 East Marshall Street) for a paw-some time with our incredible Dogs on Call teams, food, and great music. The fun starts at 11am! We can’t wait to see you and your furry (or not-so-furry) friends. 🐶🎶🍔

[Image Alt Text: Promotional poster announcing, "IT'S HERE! PUPS ON THE PLAZA." The main text and event details are on the left, including the date, time, and location. On the right, two Polaroid-style photos are stacked. The top photo shows a smiling person with a black dog. The bottom photo shows a golden retriever visiting a person in a hospital bed.]

09/17/2025

The moment you’ve all been waiting for is almost here! TOMORROW is “Pups on the Plaza”! Get ready for a day of joy and community. We can’t wait to share this experience with you. See you there!

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

[Image Alt Text: A "Pups on the Plaza" promotional poster. The main text says "Only 1 Day!" with event details including the date and location. Two Polaroid-style photos show therapy dogs interacting with people. The top photo shows a dog looking up at a person in a medical coat. The bottom photo shows a child in a "I'm a Huge Fan" shirt petting a golden retriever.]

09/16/2025

Just 2 more days until “Pups on the Plaza”! We’ve got a fantastic event planned for you, featuring food, music, and of course, our amazing Dogs on Call teams. Get ready for some good vibes and furry friends!

[Image Alt Text: A promotional poster for "Pups on the Plaza." The top of the image says "Only 2 Days!" and has event details. To the right are two photos. The top photo shows a smiling person in a chair with a dog on their lap, while the bottom one shows a person and a child petting a golden retriever. The bottom of the poster notes that lunch tickets are provided by Holiday Barn Pet Resorts.]

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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