TAPPAHANNOCK, Va. – If you wander the halls at VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital these days, you might meet Deezel, an 8-year-old golden retriever who, with his handler and owner, Crystal, are among the newest volunteers at the hospital.
Deezel and Crystal are part of the Dogs on Call program, offered through the Center for Human-Animal Interaction at VCU. Dogs on Call features registered therapy dogs to visit VCU Health patients in the hospital and some offsite locations. The program successfully launched recently in Tappahannock and hopes to continue growing its four-legged volunteer base in the community.
Wearing distinct blue vests and carrying identification cards, Dogs on Call dogs and their handlers have undergone training and testing to ensure they can handle the rigors of volunteering in a healthcare setting. There are no breed restrictions – every dog qualifies based on temperament.
Crystal, who retired in December from VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital after more than 20 years of employment, decided to join Dogs on Call with Deezel because she loves the joy it brings to patients.
“I’ve always been part of supporting patient care, but this kind of [volunteer] work is special,” she explains.
Patients report feeling more relaxed, less fearful, lonely and anxious when they are visited by Dogs on Call. And team members within the hospital enjoy therapy dog visits as much as patients. Many staff enjoy collecting trading cards from as many dogs as they can.
“This program is really a win/win for the hospital,” according to Nancy Gee, the department director who oversees the Dogs on Call program. In addition to providing a popular and well-received service, Gee and her team conduct in clinical trials to examine the impact that therapy dog visits can have on many aspects of patient care.
While new in Tappahannock, the Dogs on Call program has been going strong in Richmond for several years. They provided over 4,600 visits throughout VCU Health last year.
Dogs round with their handlers to many areas of the hospital or clinic settings. They don’t go in surgery, the cafeteria or dining areas, or specialized isolation areas. But almost everywhere else is fair game. They delight patients, visitors and team members alike.
Does your dog have what it takes?
All Dogs on Call teams must be registered with either Pet Partners or with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD). If you choose registration with ATD, your dog will also need to become an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen. For a quick description of each, take a look at the Accepted Therapy Dog Organizations on the Dogs on Call website. All dogs in the program must also provide a health verification form.
Once all credentials are submitted, Dogs on Call teams are registered as volunteers and undergo some shadowing requirements. According to Crystal, the process can take a few months, but is well worth it.
Visit the Dogs on Call website for more information and to learn how to get started, or reach out to Dogs on Call directly for help getting started. You can email them at CHAI@VCUHealth.org or by phone at 804-827-PAWS (7297).
