Dogs On Call

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.

Saluting our K9 colleagues today. đŸŽ–ïž While our therapy dogs fight stress, K9 Veterans served in the military to protect ...
03/13/2026

Saluting our K9 colleagues today. đŸŽ–ïž While our therapy dogs fight stress, K9 Veterans served in the military to protect us. We honor their service and bravery.

“The impact of DOC dog visits takes many forms. I shadowed a team visiting an adolescent patient who confessed that she ...
03/10/2026

“The impact of DOC dog visits takes many forms. I shadowed a team visiting an adolescent patient who confessed that she was scared of dogs. She asked us to come closer so that she could try to pet the dog. After building up her courage, she stroked him and teared up with a huge smile, saying how she couldn't wait to tell her mom about what she had just done! The visit bolstered her confidence at an important time.”

- Shared by Duru

We lost an hour of sleep
 which means one less hour of napping for the pups! ⏰ Don’t forget to spring forward. Our dogs ...
03/08/2026

We lost an hour of sleep
 which means one less hour of napping for the pups! ⏰ Don’t forget to spring forward. Our dogs might be a little groggy on their rounds tomorrow!

“While in medical school I had the opportunity to observe Dogs on Call teams in action. The sheer joy they bring to pati...
03/05/2026

“While in medical school I had the opportunity to observe Dogs on Call teams in action. The sheer joy they bring to patients and staff at VCU Health is incredibly moving. As you watch folks, connect emotionally with soft, furry friend, you can feel their stress melting away. Animal therapy is powerful and I'm so glad we offer this valuable service to our patients and staff at VCU Health.”

- Shared by Rachel, Medical Student

Ears up! 🐰 It’s World Hearing Day. Dogs are famous for their hearing (especially when a treat bag opens), but today remi...
03/03/2026

Ears up! 🐰 It’s World Hearing Day. Dogs are famous for their hearing (especially when a treat bag opens), but today reminds us to care for our own hearing health. We’re listening to the patients, staff, and visitors every day!

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend.” 📚 Happy Read Across America Day! Our dogs are great listeners—perfect...
03/02/2026

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend.” 📚 Happy Read Across America Day! Our dogs are great listeners—perfect for children practicing their reading skills. What’s on your reading list?

Kicking off Women’s History Month! đŸ’Ș We celebrate the incredible women in medicine, our female handlers, and the women w...
03/01/2026

Kicking off Women’s History Month! đŸ’Ș We celebrate the incredible women in medicine, our female handlers, and the women who lead our organization. Thank you for your strength and compassion.

02/28/2026
02/26/2026

Thanks to WTVR CBS 6 News for their wonderful coverage of the research The Center for Human-Animal Interaction has been doing as well as the Dogs On Call program!

“Special bonds between patients and the dogs often happen when you least expect it. Wiley and I spent 30 minutes with a ...
02/26/2026

“Special bonds between patients and the dogs often happen when you least expect it. Wiley and I spent 30 minutes with a patient when responding to a special visit request at CHoR dialysis. It was immediately obvious that a strong bond was being formed and we visited this patient for months. One day we were presented with a lovely gift - a drawing of Wiley based on a picture of him that the patient had seen on Instagram! Although our DOC dog visits to her are over, her bond with Wiley will be for life.”

- Shared by Denise Russell

Celebrating innovation and brilliance today! đŸ§Ș From medical breakthroughs to better patient care, we honor the African-A...
02/25/2026

Celebrating innovation and brilliance today! đŸ§Ș From medical breakthroughs to better patient care, we honor the African-American scientists who have paved the way. Our dogs are proud to support the medical teams following in their footsteps.

Did someone say
 BISCUIT?! đŸȘ Happy National Dog Biscuit Day. Our therapy dogs definitely earn their treats after a long ...
02/23/2026

Did someone say
 BISCUIT?! đŸȘ Happy National Dog Biscuit Day. Our therapy dogs definitely earn their treats after a long shift of comforting patients. What’s your dog’s favorite snack?

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

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