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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.

08/04/2025

It’s National Assistance Dog Week! These incredible canines are more than just pets; they are lifelines, providing independence, support, and profound companionship. From guiding the visually impaired to alerting to medical conditions, their dedication is awe-inspiring. We at the Center for Human-Animal interaction and the pups of Dogs on Call celebrate these true heroes!

[Image Description: NATIONAL ASSISTANCE DOG WEEK. Two dogs, a golden retriever and a white dog, both wearing red 'SERVICE DOG' vests, are featured against a light tan background with gray paw prints in the top left and a bone in the top right. Below is 'Center for Human-Animal Interaction ®' and 'chai.vcu.edu'.]

08/02/2025

[Image Description: A quote on a light brown background with a flower decoration reads: 'A doctor in the ER stopped to pet Jag. Then he looked around at everyone and announced, "If you need me, I will be at the LAB!"' Below the quote is 'Shared by a Dogs on Call Handler'. To the right, two medical professionals in scrubs are crouching, one petting a black Labrador retriever wearing a blue therapy dog vest. Below is 'Center for Human-Animal Interaction ®' and 'chai.vcu.edu'.]

08/01/2025

Happy Play Ball Day! There’s nothing quite like the pure joy of a dog and their favorite ball, especially for the off-duty Dogs on Call therapy dogs. Whether it’s a tennis ball, a squeaky toy, or a well-loved frisbee, watching them play always brings a smile to our faces.

What’s your dog’s absolute favorite toy to play fetch with? Share your paw-some play moments below!

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: PLAY BALL DAY! AUGUST 1, 2025. A golden retriever sits on green grass next to a soccer ball, a football, and a basketball with a baseball. A tree is to the left, and blue clouds are in the sky. Below is 'Center for Human-Animal Interaction ®' and 'chai.vcu.edu'.]

07/31/2025

[ALT TEXT: A smiling man in glasses holds a small black Malti-Poo, Phoebe, while a woman volunteer in a blue Dogs on Call polo shirt with an ID badge smiles at the dog. Text overlay shares a story from DOC Handler Marci, “Phoebe and I were walking towards the elevator when I heard an excited "Is that Phoebe?" from down the hall. It was a patient we had visited months ago who was back for a checkup. She told me she would never forget when we came to visit her and how much it meant to her; we had made her day. - Shared by Marcia”

07/29/2025

We want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to the MCV Foundation for their ongoing support and partnership.

Thank you for helping us to continue to expand our reach and fulfill our mission!

[ALT TEXT: Multiple hands form a heart shape, surrounding the MCV Foundation VCU Health logo. Parts of two dogs, one with a snout and paw and another with an ear and eye looking up, are visible on the left and bottom right corners. Text overlay reads "THANK YOU TO OUR CALENDAR SPONSORS."]

07/27/2025

Happy Parent's Day to all the incredible Dog Parents out there, especially our dedicated Dogs on Call handlers!

Being a dog parent means endless love, patience, belly rubs, and always having a furry shadow. For our handlers, it also means countless hours of training, volunteering, and sharing their beloved companions to bring comfort to others.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication to your furry family members, and for sharing their incredible gifts with our community. You're all amazing! Here’s a shot of amazing dog parent Margaret and her pup Elsa.

[ALT TEXT: A light brown Golden-Doodle with a curly coat and blue Dogs on Call vest looks up at a smiling woman volunteer. The image is framed by a colorful polka-dot border. Text overlay reads "Happy Parents Day."]

07/26/2025

Happy National Dog Photography Day! We love celebrating the beauty and spirit of dogs through photography, especially when it comes to our incredible therapy pups.

Our Dogs on Call dogs are not just amazing therapy dogs; they're also incredibly photogenic! Here's a stunning shot of Keegan, looking absolutely paw-some.

Pro-Tip for dog photos: Get down on their level! Taking photos from their perspective often creates the most engaging and adorable shots.

Share your favorite dog photos with us today using !

[ALT TEXT: A smiling woman in scrubs crouches next to a large Irish Setter wearing a blue Dogs on Call vest. A camera icon is in the top left corner. Text overlay reads "Happy National Dog Photography Day" and "CHERISHING THE MOMENTS THAT MAKE LIFE BEAUTIFUL."]

07/25/2025

We want to extend a huge, heartfelt THANK YOU to the VCU Medical Center MCV Hospitals Auxiliary who have supported Dogs on Call so consistently over the years.

Their ongoing partnership enables us to continue expanding our reach, add more dog/handler teams to Dogs on Call, and bring comfort and healing to even more individuals. Thank you for helping us fulfill our mission!

[ALT TEXT: Multiple hands form a heart shape, surrounding the VCU Medical Center and MCV Hospitals Auxiliary logo. Parts of two dogs, one with a snout and paw and another with an eye looking up, are visible on the left and bottom right corners. Text overlay reads "THANK YOU TO OUR CALENDAR SPONSORS."]

07/21/2025

[ALT TEXT: A smiling woman, a VCU Health patient, holds a black and white Miniature Schnauzer therapy dog named Wiley, who wears a blue Dogs on Call vest. Text overlay shares her testimonial, “In the world of cancer, each therapy has its place. Mental therapies are often undervalued, and therapy dog visits offer more than just a distraction- they provide genuine emotional support. For patients like me, these visits can serve as a beacon of hope and comfort. Wiley visited me twice during my inpatient stay for chemotherapy, and his soothing presence provided a welcome break from the stress and discomfort of medical treatments. During our visits, I could feel my stress levels lowering as my spirits were lifted, making my hospital experience a little brighter. - Shared by a VCU Health Patient]

07/18/2025

It's Friday, and we're sending out a massive thank you to our incredible partner: Town & Country Veterinary Clinic! Their continued support helps us provide the uniforms, supplies, and resources needed to bring our compassionate therapy dog teams to those who need comfort and joy most. Their generosity helps us make an impact, one wagging tail at a time.

[ALT TEXT: Multiple hands form a heart shape, surrounding the logo for Town & Country Veterinary Clinic. Parts of two dogs, one with a snout and paw and another with an eye looking up, are visible on the left and bottom right corners. Text overlay reads "THANK YOU TO OUR CALENDAR SPONSORS."]

07/16/2025

Happy National Hot Dog Day! Our Dogs on Call pups certainly know how to bring the "hot dog" spirit!

Whether they're lounging in the sun or getting ready for a visit, these furry friends are always looking adorable. What's your pup's favorite safe, dog-friendly treat?

[ALT TEXT: A small, light-colored wiry-haired dog named Ivy with pointy ears peeks out from between dark, horizontal bars, looking towards the viewer. White paw prints are visible above and below the text "NATIONAL HOT DOG DAY" on a black background.]

07/15/2025

Today is National Pet Fire Safety Day, and it's a crucial reminder to include your furry family members in your home safety plan. Your pet's safety is paws-itively important!

Stay safe, Richmond, and protect your beloved companions!

[ALT TEXT: A graphic with flame-like borders on a light-yellow background. In the center, text reads "NATIONAL PET FIRE SAFETY DAY" followed by four bullet points with icons: "Rescue Alert Sticker," "Include Pets in Escape Plan," "Leashes Near Exits," and "No Open Flames." At the bottom, it says "PREVENTION SAVES LIVES."]

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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