#CHAI25
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dogsoncall.bsky.social
Our Dogs on Call program is the heart of our clinical work. With the dedication of over 300 teams over the past 25 years, we have been able to consistently deliver comfort and smiles across VCU Medical Center and VCU.

#DogsOnCall #CHAI25 #TherapyDogs
A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "DOGS ON CALL" with the phrase "THE ❤️ OF OUR CLINICAL WORK!" directly underneath. The center features a vibrant photo collage of multiple therapy dog teams. It showcases diverse groups of smiling handlers and medical staff posing alongside their therapy dogs, which include a Golden Doodle, a Chocolate Lab, a Yellow Lab, a Corgi, a small black Poodle mix, and several other breeds. Many of the handlers are wearing blue "Dogs on Call" shirts, and several of the dogs are wearing their official blue therapy dog vests. In the bottom right corner, a shiny 3D gold "25th" logo rests above a black ribbon banner that reads "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters.
June 8, 2026 at 11:01 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
Did you know interacting with companion animals can combat loneliness in aging adults?

#HealthyAging #Geriatrics #CHAI25
A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "AGING & PETS" with the message "INTERACTING WITH A COMPANION ANIMAL CAN COMBAT LONELINESS IN AGING ADULTS" directly underneath. The center features a photograph of an older woman resting in a hospital bed, looking toward a fluffy, light-brown Cocker Spaniel sitting prominently in the foreground. The dog is wearing a blue Dogs on Call therapy dog vest. In the bottom right corner, a shiny 3D gold "25th" logo rests above a black ribbon banner that reads "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters.
June 19, 2026 at 11:04 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
For children at the Children's Hospital of Richmond, a dog isn’t just a visitor; they are a game changer.

#PediatricCare #DogsOnCall #CHAI25
A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "PEDIATRIC IMPACT" with the message "OUR DOGS ARE MORE THAN VISITORS, THEY ARE PART OF THE HEALING PROCESS" directly underneath. The center features a photograph of a pediatric hospital visit with two Dogs on Call therapy teams. On the left, a handler wearing a blue polo shirt and a clear face shield holds a small gray terrier-mix dog wearing a blue therapy vest. A young boy in a wheelchair, wearing a face mask and a blue cape, reaches out to gently pet the dog. On the right, another handler in a blue polo and face shield kneels beside a yellow Labrador Retriever wearing a blue therapy vest. The dog is interacting with a young child in a tie-dye shirt and a teal face mask who is kneeling on the floor beside them.
June 10, 2026 at 11:04 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
Future doctors learn here! VCU medical students can rotate with CHAI, learning firsthand how therapy dogs complement and support traditional medicine.

#MedicalStudents #MedEd #VCUMed #CHAI25
A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "CHAI" with "MED STUDENT ROTATIONS" directly underneath. The center features a photograph of two smiling medical students posing with two therapy dogs. On the left, a male student wearing blue scrubs, a black vest, a yellow "MEDICAL STUDENT" badge, and a face mask pulled down under his chin kneels beside a Golden Retriever. On the right, a smiling female student wearing a black VCU jacket poses closely with a large, fluffy brown and black dog. In the bottom right corner, a shiny 3D gold "25th" logo rests above a black ribbon banner that reads "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters.
June 22, 2026 at 11:02 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
Milestone moment: We couldn’t do this without support. Thank you to the Bill Balaban Endowment and all our incredible donors who fuel our 25-year mission! 💙

#Philanthropy #CHAI25 #ThankYou
A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "DONOR APPRECIATION" with "BILL BALABAN ENDOWMENT & OUR INCREDIBLE DONORS" directly underneath. The center features a photo collage. On the left side, slightly faded into the background, is a photograph of an older man (presumably Bill Balaban) smiling warmly while kneeling and holding a German Shepherd dog. Dominating the right side of the graphic is a large, close-up portrait of the same German Shepherd's face, with the name "BITZ" written in small white letters near its chest. In the bottom right corner, a shiny 3D gold "25th" logo rests above a black ribbon banner that reads "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters.
June 23, 2026 at 11:01 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
Cassie, a beloved DOC pup, has provided and continues to provide countless hours of comfort to patients during her tenure. We love those sweet paws!

#TBT #CHAI25 #TherapyDog
A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "CASSIE." On the left side, there is a photograph of a smiling woman with short blonde hair wearing a blue Dogs on Call polo shirt. She is holding a Corgi that is wearing a blue therapy dog vest. Dominating the right side of the graphic is a large, close-up portrait of the same Corgi's face, gently blending into the background. In the bottom right corner, a shiny 3D gold "25th" logo rests above a black ribbon banner that reads "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters.
June 11, 2026 at 11:03 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
TBT to our early days! The vest may not be there yet, but the smiles our dogs bring remain exactly the same.

#TBT #CHAI25 #DogsOnCall #HealthcareHistory
Alt Text Description: A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "THROWBACK THURSDAY." The center features a photograph of a smiling young girl in a hospital bed, wearing a patterned hospital gown and a blue cap with a pink flower. She is gently resting her hand on a medium-sized black dog that is lying on the bed beside her, looking forward with a relaxed, happy expression. In the bottom right corner, a shiny 3D gold "25th" logo rests above a black ribbon banner that reads "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters.
June 4, 2026 at 11:04 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
At CHAI, we don’t just know animals help us heal—we prove it. Our interdisciplinary research explores the physiological and psychological benefits of the human-animal bond with over 100 publications in the last 25 years.

#CHAI25 #ResearchMatters #Anthrozoology
A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "CENTER FOR HUMAN-ANIMAL INTERACTION RESEARCH". The center features a collage of three printed academic research papers fanned out alongside one another. Stamped prominently across the middle of the papers in large, distressed red text is the number "100+". In the bottom right corner, a shiny 3D gold "25th" logo rests above a black ribbon banner that reads "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters.
June 15, 2026 at 11:01 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
VCU and VCU Health! Please join us as we celebrate our 25th anniversary TODAY, between 11am and 1pm on the 1st floor of Main Hospital near the Panera!

#Celebrate #Anniversary #CHAI25
A promotional graphic on a dark blue and black background. At the top left, elegant white text reads "Come Celebrate!" accompanied by the VCU Health and VCU School of Medicine logo in the top right. In the center, a stylized banner graphic reads "2001 2026 25 YEARS OF PAWS & PURPOSE" resting above the Center for Human-Animal Interaction logo. In the lower left, a photograph shows two smiling women and a young boy wearing a red Hulk t-shirt and a camo hat, happily posing with two small Dogs on Call therapy dogs (a Jack Russell terrier mix and a black and grey wire-haired terrier mix) wearing their official blue vests. On the right side, white text against a dark blue background outlines the event details: "Celebrating our 25th Anniversary! There will be: Dogs on Call Dogs, 25th Anniversary T-Shirts for Sale, Giveaways. ~When~ June 30, 11AM-1PM. ~Where~ Main Hospital, 1st Floor (Just outside Panera)."
June 30, 2026 at 1:04 PM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
Come join us as we celebrate our 25th anniversary on June 30, between 11am and 1pm on the 1st floor of Main Hospital near the Panera!

#Celebrate #Anniversary #CHAI25
A promotional graphic on a dark blue and black background. At the top left, elegant white text reads "Come Celebrate!" accompanied by the VCU Health and VCU School of Medicine logo in the top right. In the center, a stylized banner graphic reads "2001 2026 25 YEARS OF PAWS & PURPOSE" resting above the Center for Human-Animal Interaction logo. In the lower left, a photograph shows two smiling women and a young boy wearing a red Hulk t-shirt and a camo hat, happily posing with two small Dogs on Call therapy dogs (a Jack Russell terrier mix and a black and grey wire-haired terrier mix) wearing their official blue vests. On the right side, white text against a dark blue background outlines the event details: "Celebrating our 25th Anniversary! There will be: Dogs on Call Dogs, 25th Anniversary T-Shirts for Sale, Giveaways. ~When~ June 30, 11AM-1PM. ~Where~ Main Hospital, 1st Floor (Just outside Panera)."
June 29, 2026 at 11:02 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
VCU and VCU Health! Come join us as we celebrate our 25th anniversary on June 30, between 11am and 1pm on the 1st floor of Main Hospital near the Panera!

#Celebrate #Anniversary #CHAI25
A promotional graphic on a dark blue and black background. At the top left, elegant white text reads "Come Celebrate!" accompanied by the VCU Health and VCU School of Medicine logo in the top right. In the center, a stylized banner graphic reads "2001 2026 25 YEARS OF PAWS & PURPOSE" resting above the Center for Human-Animal Interaction logo. In the lower left, a photograph shows two smiling women and a young boy wearing a red Hulk t-shirt and a camo hat, happily posing with two small Dogs on Call therapy dogs (a Jack Russell terrier mix and a black and grey wire-haired terrier mix) wearing their official blue vests. On the right side, white text against a dark blue background outlines the event details: "Celebrating our 25th Anniversary! There will be: Dogs on Call Dogs, 25th Anniversary T-Shirts for Sale, Giveaways. ~When~ June 30, 11AM-1PM. ~Where~ Main Hospital, 1st Floor (Just outside Panera)."
June 24, 2026 at 11:03 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
Happy Father’s Day to all the dog dads out there! ❤️

#FathersDay #DogDad #CHAI25
A graphic celebrating Father's Day against a light, textured gray background. At the top, dark blue text reads "HAPPY Father's DAY" with "Father's" written in a flowing cursive script, framed by two thin horizontal lines. The bottom half of the image features the dark blue silhouettes of a father walking forward, holding hands with a young girl on his left and a young boy on his right. The family is flanked by the silhouettes of two dogs sitting attentively—one on the far left and one on the far right. A subtle dotted pattern decorates the top right corner.
June 21, 2026 at 11:01 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
Pets in the workplace? Yes, please! CHAI research shows that dogs in professional settings can reduce employee stress and improve collaboration. 🏢🐾

#WorkplaceWellness #CHAI25 #HumanAnimalBond
June 20, 2026 at 11:01 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
TBT to our early research milestones. In the early 2000s, our research was laying the clinical groundwork for how the medical community views the impact of therapy dogs today. 📈

#TBT #MedicalHistory #CHAI25
A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "THROWBACK THURSDAY". The center features a photograph with rounded corners showing a woman in a hospital bed wearing a light green hospital gown. She is gently petting a small, fluffy, light brown and white dog wearing a black harness that is sitting on the bed beside her. In the background of the hospital room, a sign on the wall reads "Allergy to Latex". In the bottom right corner, a shiny 3D gold "25th" logo rests above a black ribbon banner that reads "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters.
June 18, 2026 at 11:02 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
Highlighting our Director, Dr. Nancy R. Gee! Her internationally recognized research focuses on how companion animals influence cognition, stress, and overall well-being. And she has her own Dogs on Call (Allie) dog in the program!

#WomenInScience #CHAI25 #HAI
A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT", flanked by two light yellow angular shapes pointing inward to create a spotlight effect. The center features a photo collage of a smiling woman with short blonde hair and glasses, wearing a light blue button-up shirt, posing with a black Standard Poodle that is wearing a blue Dogs on Call therapy dog vest. The woman and her dog appear twice in the image: once prominently in the foreground on the right, and again slightly smaller and softly blended into the background on the left. In the bottom right corner, a shiny 3D gold "25th" logo rests above a black ribbon banner that reads "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters.
June 16, 2026 at 11:02 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
University education is challenging, and our dogs are here to help. 📚🐶 Supporting VCU students’ mental health during exams is important to us!

#VCU #StudentWellness #CHAI25
Alt Text Description: A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "SUPPORTING STUDENTS' MENTAL HEALTH". The center features a photograph of two smiling young women interacting with Dogs on Call therapy dogs. On the left, a young woman wearing glasses and a light-colored top sits and happily pets a fluffy black, white, and gray dog wearing a blue therapy dog vest with the name "SHINER". On the right, a young woman wearing a dark gray VCU hoodie kneels down to affectionately pet a light-colored Golden Retriever that is resting its head and wearing a matching blue therapy vest. In the bottom right corner, a shiny 3D gold "25th" logo rests above a black ribbon banner that reads "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters.
June 14, 2026 at 11:01 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
Inspired by 25 years of Dogs on Call? We are always looking for registered therapy dog teams. Learn how you and your dog can get involved: chai.vcu.edu/dogs-on-call...

#VolunteerRichmond #DogsOnCall #RVA #CHAI25
A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "INSPIRED? WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW TEAMS!" On the left side of the graphic, there is a photograph of three women interacting with a small black poodle-mix therapy dog. Two women wearing blue scrubs and face masks are seated and smiling. A third woman, wearing a blue Dogs on Call polo shirt, a face mask, and khaki pants, is kneeling affectionately beside the dog, which is wearing a blue therapy dog vest. On the right side, there is a large QR code centered inside a light blue square, topped with a dark blue tab that reads "SCAN ME" in white text. In the bottom right corner, a shiny 3D gold "25th" logo rests above a black ribbon banner that reads "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters.
June 13, 2026 at 11:01 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
It’s not just for patients! Our teams are making “Rounds with Hounds” to provide crucial stress relief for VCU Health medical staff facing long, demanding shifts. Thanks to our healthcare heroes!

#HealthcareWellness #RoundsWithHounds #CHAI25
A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "ROUNDS WITH HOUNDS" with the statistics "10,177 STAFF VISITS REPORTED IN 2025" directly underneath. The center features a photo collage of four different therapy dog teams.
June 12, 2026 at 11:02 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
Meet Margaret and Elsa! They’ve been volunteering with DOC for 10 years! Thanks for your dedicated service!

#VolunteerSpotlight #CHAI25 #DogsOnCall
Alt Text Description: A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "HANDLER SPOTLIGHT" with "MARGARET & ELSA" directly underneath. This text is flanked by two light yellow angular shapes pointing inward to create a spotlight effect. The center features a photograph of a smiling woman with blonde hair wearing a blue VCU Health System volunteer polo shirt and ID badge. She is posing closely next to her therapy dog, a large, fluffy, light brown doodle-mix breed wearing a black harness. In the bottom right corner, a shiny 3D gold "25th" logo rests above a black ribbon banner that reads "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters.
June 9, 2026 at 11:03 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
Sunday reminder from our experts: just 20 minutes with a dog can significantly lower stress levels. Sure, our experts have cold noses and are fluffy, but are you really going to argue with them?

#SelfCareSunday #PetTherapy #CHAI25
A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "SELF-CARE SUNDAY." Below this, centered text states: "JUST 20 MINUTES WITH A DOG CAN SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER STRESS LEVELS." In the lower left area, there is an illustration of a white clock face with a yellow highlighted section indicating a twenty-minute duration, with the text "20 min" boldly printed in the center. To the right of the clock, there is a photograph of a smiling young woman wearing glasses and a gray VCU Track & Field zip-up jacket, kneeling beside a Golden Retriever that is wearing a blue therapy dog vest. In the bottom right corner, a shiny 3D gold "25th" logo rests above a black ribbon banner that reads "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters.
June 7, 2026 at 11:01 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
It takes a village. To the VCU Health nurses, doctors, and staff who welcomed paws onto the clinical floors 25 years ago—thank you for believing in the bond! 💙

#VCUHealth #HealthcareHeroes #CHAI25
A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "STAFF APPRECIATION" with the following message directly underneath: "TO THE VCU HEALTH NURSES, DOCTORS, AND STAFF WHO WELCOMED PAWS ONTO THE CLINICAL FLOORS 25 YEARS AGO, THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN THE BOND!" The center features a group photograph of hospital staff, a security officer, and therapy dogs.
June 6, 2026 at 11:01 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
Every legacy has a beginning. Today we remember Mick, one of our first dogs who helped start it all and set the gold standard for hospital visits.

#TherapyDogFriday #CHAI25 #GoodDog
A graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "FIRST DOG SPOTLIGHT," flanked by two light yellow angular shapes pointing inward to create a spotlight effect. The center features a photograph of a smiling young girl sitting on the edge of a hospital bed. She has long blonde hair, is wearing a pink t-shirt, and has her arm warmly wrapped around a large, long-haired reddish-brown dog lying on the white bed sheets beside her. The dog has its mouth open in a happy, relaxed expression. In the bottom right corner, a shiny 3D gold "25th" logo rests above a black ribbon banner that reads "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters.
June 5, 2026 at 11:02 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
Did you know CHAI is a Research Center within the @VCU School of Medicine? Our offices are located in the @Department of Psychiatry. This unique home allows us to seamlessly bridge rigorous science with daily clinical care! 🔬🩺

#CHAI25 #MedicalResearch #VCUMed
An informational graphic with a light blue gradient background patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. In the center, bold black text reads: "DID YOU KNOW? CHAI IS A RESEARCH-RELATED INSTITUTE & CENTER WITHIN THE VCU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE?" In the bottom right corner, a shiny 3D gold "25th" logo rests above a black ribbon banner that reads "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters.
June 3, 2026 at 11:02 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
Today we honor our founder, Dr. Sandra Barker, whose pioneering vision in 2001 paved the way for integrating therapy dogs into patient care at @VCUHealth.

#CHAI25 #PioneersInMedicine #TherapyDogs
A graphic titled "FOUNDER SPOTLIGHT" featuring Dr. Sandra Barker. The background is a light blue gradient patterned with faint paw prints, framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top, bold black text reads "FOUNDER SPOTLIGHT," with "DR. SANDRA BARKER" written directly below it. The center features a photograph of a hospital visit. On the right, a woman with short blonde hair (presumably Dr. Barker), wearing a red turtleneck sweater with a white snowflake design and a pearl necklace, smiles warmly. On the left, a smiling patient in a hospital bed wearing a light-colored gown and a hair net gently pets a small, fluffy, light-colored dog standing between them. The photograph is framed by two subtle, light yellow angular shapes pointing inward.
June 2, 2026 at 11:03 AM
dogsoncall.bsky.social
This June, we’re celebrating a massive milestone: 25 years of the Center for Human-Animal Interaction! Founded in 2001 right here at VCU, we were the first center of our kind housed in a medical school. Here’s to a quarter-century of the human-animal bond! 🐾🎉

#CHAI25 #VCUHealth #HumanAnimalBond
A celebratory graphic for the Center for Human-Animal Interaction's 25th anniversary. The background is a light blue gradient patterned with faint paw prints and framed by a decorative dotted border. At the top is the center's blue logo, featuring the text "Center for Human-Animal Interaction" alongside the silhouettes of a flying bird, a dog's profile, and a cat. In the middle, large, shiny 3D gold text reads "25th" resting above a black ribbon banner that says "ANNIVERSARY" in gold letters. At the bottom, the dates "2001-2026" are prominently displayed in bold, gold text.
June 1, 2026 at 4:45 PM