New research led by our own Dr. Nancy Gee, alongside CHAI colleagues Dr. Lisa Townsend and Dr. Sandra Barker, indicates that therapy dogs significantly reduce loneliness in hospitalized patients❤️🐕 Read the full release: habri.org/pressroom/20... #pressrelease #habri #chai #humananimalbond #dognews

“Cassie has an intuition that is far beyond my understanding and I often marvel at her work. I remember a visit with a young man who had been completely silent. Cassie simply sat on his bed, staring lovingly into his eyes as he continued to pet her.” - Shared by Donna Robertson

It’s the beginning of Pet Dental Health Month. Fresh breath equals a better quality of life for your pup and you!

Today marks the start of Black History Month. At Dogs on Call, we celebrate the diverse community of patients, staff, and handlers who make our program strong. Unity and compassion are at the heart of everything we do. ❤️🖤💚

“Everyone is like family at VCU Health's Stony Point Campus. Keegan especially likes visiting where one of the medical professionals has a routine of playing peek-a-boo & giving him a nice rub behind his ears. It's a great halfway point when we are making our rounds.” - Shared by Michael Kallighan

Even working dogs need a break! 🏖️ It’s National Plan for Vacation Day. If our therapy dogs could book a trip, where do you think they’d go? The beach? The mountains? Or just a really big couch?

We stick to our nurses like… well, like Velcro! 💉 Happy National IV Nurse Day. We know your job requires a steady hand and a big heart. Thanks for letting us visit to lower the stress levels on the floor today!

Mark your calendars! 🗓️ Join us on January 29th to honor Austin’s legacy. Every pin knocked down helps us support mental health awareness and the healing power of dogs. Let's make this the biggest year yet! Learn more here: www.austingermanimemorialfund.com

“We were stopped by a doctor who asked us to visit with a patient who hadn't been responding. The doctor carefully lifted the patient's hands and gently initiated petting Baylee's head. Once they began to pet Baylee's head the patient began to smile.” - Shared by Beth & George Adams

Can’t make it to the event? You can still win BIG! 🏆 We are selling raffle tickets for some amazing prize baskets. You don’t have to bowl a perfect game to take home a prize—just grab a ticket and support a great cause. Learn more here: www.austingermanimemorialfund.com

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” – MLK. 🕊️ Today we honor his legacy of service. Our therapy dog teams serve with their whole hearts, bringing comfort where it is needed most.

Want to see your name (or company logo) above the lanes? 🌟Your sponsorship directly supports the Austin Germani Memorial Fund, benefiting VCU's Center for Human-Animal Interaction and Boys to Men Mentoring. Learn more here: www.austingermanimemorialfund.com

Grab your friends, pick a team name, and lace up those shoes! 🎳 We are looking for teams to join us at River City Roll on Jan 29th. Whether you throw strikes or gutter balls, we’re raising awareness for a great cause! Learn more here: www.austingermanimemorialfund.com

We are so excited for the upcoming Austin Germani Memorial Fund Strike Out Stress Bowling Tournament! 📅 When: January 29, 2026 | 3pm – 7pm 📍 Where: River City Roll, Richmond, VA 🎉 Featuring: DJ, Raffle, Food, and Drinks! Learn more here: www.austingermanimemorialfund.com

Happy New Year from CHAI and Dogs on Call! May 2026 bring you health, happiness, and plenty of wagging tails. We’re excited for another year of making a positive impact. What are your resolutions for a paws-itive year? #HappyNewYear2026 #FreshStart #PawsitiveVibes

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on all the amazing moments our Dogs on Call teams created, the research insights we gained, and the bonds we strengthened. Thank you for being part of our journey! See you in 2026! #NewYearsEve #HappyNewYear #Reflections #EndOfYear #NewBeginnings #CheersTo2026

Wishing everyone a very Happy Holidays from the Center for Human-Animal Interaction and our beloved Dogs on Call therapy dogs! May your season be filled with warmth, joy, and cherished moments with loved ones (both two-legged and four-legged!). #HappyHolidays #HolidaySeason #JoyAndPeace

‘Tis the season for holiday cheer! But what’s your dog’s FAVORITE part of the holidays? Is it the extra treats, the cozy naps by the fire, or maybe playing with new toys? Tell us below! #HolidayDogs #DogLife #ChristmasDogs #PetHoliday #DogsOnCall #CHAI #FurryFriends #HolidayCheer #DogLove

"Mic check, one two! 🎤🐾 Thank you Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU for inviting us to Radiothon, and to Mix 98.1 for putting our Dogs on Call program in the spotlight! We loved talking about the power of puppy love. #DogsOnCall #Radiothon #Mix981 #TherapyDogLife"

On International Animal Rights Day, we affirm our commitment to promoting respectful and ethical treatment for all animals. At CHAI, we love our Dogs on Call dogs but we support and promote the well-being of all animals. #HumanAnimalBond #TherapyDogs #AnimalAssistedIntervention #QualityOfLife

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become part of Dogs on Call, our therapy dog volunteer program? Join us LIVE on YouTube tomorrow at 7:00 PM for an info session and Q&A! 📺 Livestream Link: 👉 youtube.com/live/9NOwQCC... 🐶 More info about Dogs on Call: chai.vcu.edu/dogs-on-call...

Today is #GivingTuesday! Your support allows the Center for Human-Animal interaction to continue our vital research and expand our Dogs On Call therapy dog program, bringing comfort and healing to countless individuals. #GivingTuesday #Donate #SupportCHAI #DogsOnCall #NonProfit #MakeADifference

Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday! Your support allows the Center for Human-Animal interaction to continue our vital research and expand our Dogs On Call therapy dog program, bringing comfort and healing to countless individuals. Every contribution makes a paws-itive impact! #GivingTuesday #Donate

As Senior Pet Month continues; we want to hear about your wise old pups! What’s the best life lesson your senior dog has taught you? Their patience, unconditional love, and resilience are truly inspiring. Share the wisdom! #SeniorPets #SeniorDogs #DogWisdom #OldDogsAreTheBest #PetStories

Happy Thanksgiving from the Center for Human-Animal Interaction and our Dogs on Call program! We are incredibly grateful for our dedicated volunteers, our amazing therapy dogs, and the profound human-animal bond that brings so much comfort and joy. #Thanksgiving #HappyThanksgiving #Gratitude

Today’s research focus explores the long-term benefits of early childhood exposure to animals. Findings suggest it is related to the development of empathy and improved social-emotional development. #ChildDevelopment #HumanAnimalBond #EarlyChildhood #Empahy #Research #SocialEmotionalLearning

Happy Take A Hike Day! Grab your leash and hit the trails with your favorite hiking buddy! Getting outdoors and staying active with your dog is fantastic for both your physical and mental well-being. #TakeAHikeDay #DogHiking #OutdoorAdventures #ActiveDogs #DogFriendly #ExploreWithDogs #NatureWalks

Clarke has assisted with surgery; well, not exactly, but he has helped an anxious patient relax before heading into the operating room and was there to greet the patient upon waking up. Being there to support in those difficult moments is why we volunteer. - Shared by Kim #TherapyDog #Comfort

On Veterans Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to all who have served our nation. Thank you for your sacrifice and service. #VeteransDay #ThankYouVeterans #MilitaryAppreciation #HumanAnimalBond #Heroes

Today is National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day, a critical part of Pet Cancer Awareness Month. Talk to your vet about symptoms and screening. Together, we can fight for our dogs’ health. #CanineLymphomaAwareness #PetCancer #DogHealth #EarlyDetection #PetCancerAwarenessMonth #FightCanineCancer

Today is Election Day! Your voice matters. Head to the polls and make your vote count. When you get home, we’re sure your furry co-pilot will be ready to greet you, no matter the outcome. #ElectionDay #Vote #YourVoiceMatters #CivicDuty #DogsOfDemocracy #DogsOnCall #CHAI #GoVote

Don’t forget: Daylight Saving Time ends tonight! Enjoy that extra hour of sleep (or an extra hour of snuggles with your pup!). While we adjust, remember your dog’s routine might shift too. Give them a little extra patience and love. #DaylightSavingTime #FallBall #ExtraHour #DogLife #DogRoutine

Welcome to November! This month brings awareness to two topics: Pet Cancer Awareness and Senior Pets. Let’s commit to early detection for cancer and providing the best care for our wise, older companions. #PetCancerAwareness #SeniorPetMonth #PetHealth #EarlyDetection #SeniorDogs #DogCare #CHAI

Happy Halloween from our Dogs on Call teams! Remember to keep your pets safe this spooky season. Keep candy out of reach and help your dog join the fun by sporting a fun bandana instead of a cumbersome or restrictive costume. Have a fa-boo-lous and safe night! #Halloween #HappyHalloween #PetSafety

Did you know that animal-assisted therapy can significantly reduce perceived pain levels in patients? Understanding this helps us refine our Dogs on Call program for maximum impact. #Research #AnimalAssistedTherapy #PainManagement #HealthcareInnovation #HumanAnimalBond #CHAI #DogsOnCall

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? #NationalFetchDay #Fetch #DogPlay #ActiveDogs #DogBonding

Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We honor the rich history, diverse cultures, and enduring contributions of Indigenous peoples & acknowledge the traditional connections to all living beings, including the animals who have shared their journeys through generations. #IndigenousPeoplesDay

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? Tell us below! #AnimalWelfareWeek #AnimalWelfare #PetAdvocacy #CommunityCare #ResponsiblePetOwner #CHAI #DogsOnCall #MakeADifference #ProtectAnimals

On Child Health Day, we celebrate the well-being of our youngest community members. Did you know interacting with therapy dogs can have benefits for children’s emotional and physical health? #ChildHealthDay #KidsHealth #TherapyDogs #AnimalAssistedTherapy #ChildWellness #DogsOnCall #CHAI #Pediatric

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. #JaneGoodall

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. - Shared by Dogs on Call Handler Kelly #DogsOnCall

Happy Responsible Dog Ownership Day! This is the perfect lead-in to National Dog Week, which starts tomorrow! What’s one thing you do as a responsible dog owner? #ResponsibleDogOwnership #AKCDogOwnershipDay #NationalDogWeek #DogCare #PetHealth #Training #DogsOnCall #CHAI #DogParents

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. #POTP25 #ThankYou #DogsOnCall #VCU #CommunitySupport #HumanAnimalInteraction #RichmondEvents

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 until 2pm for more Dogs on Call, food, and music. Don’t miss out on the fun! #POTP2025 #DogsOfInstagram #VCUHealth #RichmondIsForDogs #EventFun

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. #POTP2025 #DogsOnCall #EventDay #RichmondVA #CommunityEvent #FoodTrucks #LiveMusic

The moment you’ve all been waiting for is almost here! TOMORROW is “Pups on the Plaza”! 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 #POTP2025 #DogsOnCall #VCU #RVAEvents #Community

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! #POTP25 #DogsOnCall #VCUHealth #VCU #Fun #Countdown #HumanAnimalInteraction

This National Veterinary Technician Week, we send a huge thank you to the incredible vet techs who care for our beloved pets! Their expertise and compassion are vital. #VetTechWeek #VeterinaryTechnicial #AnimalHealthcare #PetCare #VetMed #Research #CHAI #DogsOnCall #ThankYouVetTechs #AnimalWellness