A text-based graphic featuring the word "NEW" in large, light green block letters in the background. Overlaid across the center in black cursive font is the word "Minimum", and below that in smaller black block letters is the text "RESEARCH STANDARDS".

Organizations like the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations (IAHAIO) recently launched new minimum research standards that place animal welfare, animal agency, and "multi-species justice" on equal footing with human clinical outcomes. tinyurl.com/ypvd2c8z

A collage graphic on a black background featuring photos of seven different Dogs on Call therapy dogs. On the left side, text reads 'April 20' inside a yellow circle, overlapping a cream-colored box that reads 'Look Alike Day'. The photos showcase a variety of dogs looking directly at the camera, including a small black and white dog in a blue therapy vest, a golden dog wearing a colorful bandana, a fluffy white dog in an orange polka-dot bow tie, a small scruffy white dog, a black doodle, a Golden Retriever, and a black poodle.

It’s National Lookalike Day! Do you look like your dog? Prove it! Post a side-by-side in the comments. Let’s see those matching jowls!

#LookalikeDay #Twinning #DogLove #DogsOnCall

A collage graphic on a white background with a blue wave at the bottom. Text in the top right reads 'THANKS TO ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS'. The image features six smiling volunteers, several wearing blue 'Dogs on Call VCU Medical Center' polo shirts, posing with their therapy dogs. The diverse group of dogs includes a black pug, a black and tan dachshund, a golden retriever, a large dark Akita mix, and two small fluffy dogs.

It is Volunteer Recognition Day! To our volunteers: You are the saints in comfortable shoes. You have provided countless hours in the hospital and on campus and we are grateful to everyone who has been a part of Dogs on Call and CHAI, past and present!

#VolunteerRecognition #DogLove #Volunteers

A graphic with a dark green background. Text at the top reads '10 MINUTES PETTING A DOG'. Below the text, a smiling woman wearing a silver cap and a hospital bracelet sits in a blue medical recliner. Next to her, a person wearing a medical face mask kneels on the floor. Both are gently petting a black therapy dog lying in front of them, which is wearing a blue 'Dogs on Call Therapy Dog VCU Medical Center' vest.

Did you know? Just 10 minutes of petting a dog can significantly reduce cortisol levels. Cortisol is the stress hormone. Dogs are anti-stress. Science says so.

#ScienceOfDogs #Cortisol #StressRelief #TherapyDogFacts

A sponsor thank-you graphic. Text at the top reads 'Thanks for your sponsorship...'. Prominently displayed in the center is the logo and text for 'Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU'. A dark blue circle in the bottom left reads '2026 DOGS ON CALL CALENDAR'. A dark blue footer across the bottom includes the text 'Center for Human-Animal Interaction®' and the website 'chai.vcu.edu'.

A massive, tail-wagging thank you to the Children's Hospital of Richmond. Because of you, we can keep our tails wagging. You are the “Good Boy” of sponsors! Do you have a group who would like to sponsor Dogs on Call? Email us at chai@vcuhealth.org.

#ThankYou #CommunitySupport #NonProfit #DogsOnCall

A promotional graphic for the "Ruff on Lyme Event" during "VCU Research Week 2026." The image features a collage of five photos showing digital display screens. Four screens introduce dogs with their photos and names: "Meet Shiner" (an Australian Shepherd), "Meet Dunkin" (a black and white fluffy dog), "Meet Chef" (a white and brown speckled dog), and "Meet Homer" (a Golden Retriever). The fifth screen is yellow with the text "Ruff on Lyme" alongside logos for VCU School of Medicine, the Center for Human-Animal Interaction, and Zoetis.

Read about our recent "Ruff on Lyme" event to discover how VCU's groundbreaking research is providing our Center for Human-Animal Interaction's furry volunteers with free Lyme disease vaccines thanks to Zoetis : tinyurl.com/zrvdakum 🐾

#VCUHealth #CanineWellness #PreventativeCare

A collage-style graphic with a beige background, coral paw prints, and the text 'HAPPY NATIONAL Pet day'. The image features four different Dogs on Call therapy dog teams: a smiling man and woman kneeling beside a golden labradoodle, a small white fluffy dog sitting in a pet stroller, a standing woman holding a small black and white dog, and a seated man next to a tricolor Australian Shepherd wearing a blue therapy dog vest that reads 'SHINER'.

National Pet Day. We know they aren’t just pets. They are roommates who don’t pay rent and scream at the mailman. Today, we celebrate every therapy dog who clocks in to bring joy, and every house pet who keeps the couch warm. You’re all doing great work.

#NationalPetDay #PetAppreciation #GoodDog

A photo overlaid with large, white text reading 'NAME YOURSELF DAY'. Behind the text, three smiling VCU Health staff members are kneeling on a clinic floor, gathered around a large, shaggy, grey therapy dog that is happily panting. The woman on the left is holding the dog's blue leash.

IF we let the dogs name themselves, we’d have a roster of over 60 dogs named “Cheese,” “Ham,” and “Don’t Leave.” If your dog could choose their own name based on their personality, what would it be? Tell us below!

#NameYourselfDay #DogNames #AlterEgo #DogsOnCall

A graphic with the text "RESEARCH" in black, followed by "TREATING ANIMALS AS INTEGRAL PARTS" in yellow, and "OF THE URBAN ECOSYSTEM" in black. Below the text are black line-art icons of a magnifying glass, a DNA strand, and a chemistry beaker, positioned next to the black silhouette of a German Shepherd.

Researchers are urging city planners to treat animals as integral parts of the urban ecosystem. To read the article, click here: tinyurl.com/mrx3fmyk

#CanineWellness #DogEnrichment #MentalHealthForDogs #DogTrainingTips

A side-by-side graphic. On the left, a smiling young woman wearing a gray VCU sweatshirt is kneeling to pet a light-colored Golden Retriever therapy dog wearing a blue vest and a colorful bandana. On the right, large white text on a dark, textured background reads 'STUDENT ATHLETE DAY'.

Happy National Student Athlete Day. Being a therapy dog is an athletic feat. You have to hold a “Sit” while a stranger makes high-pitched noises at you. Shout out to all the student athletes at VCU and beyond balancing books and ball games today!

#StudentAthlete #DogSports #MentalFortitude #VCU

A promotional graphic. On the left, text reads 'Go For Broke Day' next to a line drawing of a megaphone, followed by 'Open Recruitment', 'Dogs on Call Handlers', and 'Fill out the interest form at https://tinyurl.com/5n8rb2hp'. On the right, a smiling young child in a knight-themed shirt sits beside a small, fluffy gray and black dog wearing a blue 'Dogs on Call Therapy Dog VCU Medical Center' vest.

Today is National Go for Broke Day. Usually, this means risking everything. We suggest a safer risk: Risk falling in love with volunteering. We are always recruiting new teams for Dogs on Call. Do you have a dog? “Go for broke” and reach out to us today!

#GoForBroke #Volunteer #TherapyDogTeam

A graphic with a torn paper aesthetic over a pale pink grid background. Text at the top reads 'NATIONAL Handmade Day'. In the center is a torn strip of blue fabric with white and red embroidery reading 'PIPPIN' and 'CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM', flanked by logos for The Center for Human-Animal Interaction's Dogs on Call program. Text at the bottom reads 'SUPPORT Local Business'.

Happy National Handmade Day. You know what’s handmade? Technically nothing on a dog. They are factory-made by nature. Our vests are stitched by Riches Stitches, who donates their time and talent to us and our teams! Show us something you’ve made for your pet! A treat? A mess?

#HandmadeDay #DIYDog

A sponsor thank-you graphic. Text at the top reads 'Thanks for your sponsorship...'. Prominently displayed in the center is the logo and text for 'Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU'. A dark blue circle in the bottom left reads '2026 DOGS ON CALL CALENDAR'. A dark blue footer across the bottom includes the text 'Center for Human-Animal Interaction®' and the website 'chai.vcu.edu'.

A massive, tail-wagging thank you to Iron Bridge Animal Hospital. Because of you, we can keep our tails wagging. Do you have a group who would like to sponsor Dogs on Call? Email us at chai@vcuhealth.org.

#ThankYou #CommunitySupport #NonProfit #DogsOnCall

A side-by-side graphic. The left side has a yellow background, a block calendar showing '01 APRIL', speech bubbles saying 'HA HA' and 'FOOL'S DAY', and a banner reading 'APRIL FOOL'S'. The right side shows an older man from behind walking a dog on a path covered in autumn leaves, under a banner reading 'WALKING DAY'.

Here’s an idea: tell your dog you are taking them to the vet, but then take them for a walk instead! Celebrate both April Fools and National Walking Day!

#AprilFools #NationalWalkingDay #DogsOnCall #Bamboozled

A graphic for the "2026 Dogs on Call Calendar" designed with a light blue and white background. A dark blue horizontal rectangle in the center contains white text that reads: "GREG & REBECCA FELTON In memory of H.W. (Bill) Felton, MD and his wife, Marie, Deltaville, VA MCV Class of 1954". At the top, it says "Thanks for your sponsorship...". A large dark blue circle in the bottom left corner is labeled "2026 DOGS ON CALL CALENDAR," and a standard dark blue branding banner for the Center for Human-Animal Interaction is at the bottom.

A graphic for "National Doctor's Day" on a light blue background with a red heart and stethoscope icon. A female doctor wearing a mask and scrubs kneels next to a white terrier mix therapy dog with a brown patch over its eye.

To the doctors who heal, comfort, and save lives: We see you, and we appreciate you. 🩺 Happy Doctor’s Day! We are honored to walk beside you in the halls. Thank you for welcoming us onto your teams.

A young boy sitting in a hospital setting looks down with a gentle smile at a small, light-colored therapy dog named Peanut, who is sitting in his lap. The dog is wearing a white bandana with a colorful pattern and a name tag that reads "Peanut" in bold black letters. The blue and white "THE ROUNDS: STORIES OF THE SHIFT" logo is located in the top left corner, and a dark blue branding banner for the Center for Human-Animal Interaction is at the bottom.

“A special relationship developed between one of our early Dogs on Call teams and a pediatric cancer patient. His parents credit Peanut with turning their son's condition around. Years later, the patient and his family still kept a photo of Peanut on their refrigerator.” - Shared by Dr. Sandy Barker

A graphic for National Puppy Day featuring four golden retriever dogs on a light yellow background decorated with orange and red paw prints. At the top are two adult dogs, and at the bottom are two puppies labeled "Odee" and "Rudee". The text "National Puppy Day" is written in a stylized font in the center of the image. A dark blue branding banner for the Center for Human-Animal Interaction is at the bottom.

Everyone starts somewhere! 🍼 Happy National Puppy Day. Even our most professional therapy dogs were once goofy puppies. Check out this throwback of Rudee and Odee, two brothers that are also Dogs on Call therapy dogs!

A close-up photo shows a small, fluffy, cream-colored therapy dog sitting behind the railing of a hospital bed. A person's hands are visible gently holding and comforting the dog from behind the rail. In the blurred background, a healthcare worker in a white coat smiles toward the interaction. The blue and white "THE ROUNDS: STORIES OF THE SHIFT" logo is in the top left corner, and a dark blue branding banner for the Center for Human-Animal Interaction is at the bottom.

“I brought H.I. to visit a young patient paralyzed below the neck who had not spoken since his admission. I was later informed that when the young man's parents arrived, his first words were, ‘I want a dog.’”

- Shared by Dr. Sandra Barker

A commemorative graphic for the "2026 Dogs on Call Calendar" featuring a portrait of a smiling black therapy dog with curly fur. The dog is wearing a purple collar and sits centered in the frame. Text at the top reads "Thanks for your sponsorship... Dr. Nancy Gee & Barbara Klucik," and a blue sidebar on the left reads, "In memory of Fletcher, therapy dog loved by scores of children". A large blue circle in the bottom left corner is labeled "2026 DOGS ON CALL CALENDAR".

A graphic for "Poison Prevention Week" featuring three illustrated poison bottles in neon green, purple, and pink against a black background. At the bottom, a fluffy, cream-colored therapy dog looks directly at the camera.

It’s National Animal Poison Prevention Week. 🚫 Keep chocolate, birch bark aka xylitol (gum), grapes, onions, and certain plants out of reach! Our dogs are smart, but their noses can get them into trouble. Keep them safe so they can keep helping others.

A graphic honoring "March 13th K9 Veterans Day" set against a dark blue camouflage background. A map of the United States filled with the American flag pattern sits behind a blue silhouette of a soldier kneeling next to a military working dog.

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

A young woman in a hospital gown sits in a hospital bed, leaning forward to gently embrace a Dalmatian therapy dog named Junia. The dog, wearing a blue therapy vest, has its head resting near the patient's shoulder. A person in a blue "Dogs on Call" shirt is partially visible on the left, assisting with the visit. The blue and white "THE ROUNDS: STORIES OF THE SHIFT" logo is in the top left corner, and a dark blue branding banner for the Center for Human-Animal Interaction is at the bottom.

“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. After building up her courage, she stroked him and teared up with a huge smile.”

- Shared by Duru

A graphic announcing "Daylight Saving Time Starts" in bold orange and yellow text against a gradient orange background. A red alarm clock icon is in the top left corner, and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel rests its chin on a cushion at the bottom, looking at the camera.

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!

A woman with brown hair and a blue long-sleeved shirt sits cross-legged on a carpeted floor, smiling next to a large, shaggy black dog. The woman is wearing a Dogs on Call lanyard and a matching blue fanny pack. The dog is sitting upright with its mouth open in a happy expression, wearing a black harness with a red heart-shaped tag. The blue and white "THE ROUNDS: STORIES OF THE SHIFT" logo is located in the bottom left corner, and a dark blue branding banner for the Center for Human-Animal Interaction is at the bottom.

“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.”

- Shared by Rachel

A commemorative graphic for Happy World Hearing Day featuring a young person in a VCU Health sweatshirt and a colorful headscarf sitting on a hospital bed next to a large, light-brown therapy dog. The dog is wearing a blue therapy vest and is being gently held by a healthcare volunteer in a blue shirt and white face mask. The background is a soft, white draped fabric, and the dark blue branding banner for the Center for Human-Animal Interaction is at the bottom.

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!

A graphic celebrating "Read! Across America Day" with a background of crowded bookshelves. A close-up photo shows a tan dog looking directly at the camera over the top of an open book.

“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?

A photo with a blue overlay featuring three women in medical scrubs and face masks petting a golden retriever therapy dog. White script text reads "Celebrate Women" above "Women's History Month" in sans-serif font.

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

A graphic for the "2026 Dogs on Call Calendar" featuring a photo of a small, brown and white beagle-mix dog looking up toward the camera. Text at the top reads "Thanks for your sponsorship..." and lists "Darcy Ekey". A blue text box in the center states, "Tail wags and gratitude: every visit is making a difference to VCU Health! Thank you!". The graphic includes a large blue circle in the bottom left labeled "2026 DOGS ON CALL CALENDAR" and a dark blue branding banner for the Center for Human-Animal Interaction at the bottom.

A smiling woman sitting on a hospital bed holds a small, black-and-grey Miniature Schnauzer therapy dog. The dog, wearing a blue "Dogs on Call" therapy vest, has distinctive long white facial hair and is looking forward. The blue and white "THE ROUNDS: STORIES OF THE SHIFT" logo is located in the top right corner, and a dark blue branding banner for the Center for Human-Animal Interaction is at the bottom.

“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. It was immediately obvious that a strong bond was being formed and we visited this patient for months."

- Shared by Denise