Paws for Health: A journey of connection, one paw at a time 

It all begins with a leash, a tail and a heart full of love.

For the Richmond SPCA’s newly-graduated Paws for Health® therapy teams, the path to spreading joy across the Richmond area starts long before their first official visit. It begins with a spark — a moment when a pet guardian realizes their furry companion has a gift: the ability to bring comfort to others simply by being present.

What is Paws for Health?

Our pet visitation program, Paws for Health️, has been brightening days across hospitals, retirement communities and care centers since 1999. After a necessary pause during the pandemic, the program returned in 2025 — revitalized, reimagined and ready to reach even more people in need of a friendly face and a wagging tail. Today, we’re thrilled to be expanding our reach to schools, workplaces and other community spaces throughout Richmond, Virginia. The best part? Teams come in all shapes and sizes. Paws for Health welcomes all types and sizes of dogs and cats, so long as they’re at least one year old, spayed or neutered, up to date on vaccines, and have lived with their handler for at least four months. Handlers must be 16 years or older — and with permission, younger children can tag along with an adult volunteer.

How it starts: The Paws for Health onboarding process

The journey starts with a simple application, followed by an evaluation at the Richmond SPCA. The evaluation focuses on a pet’s ability to remain calm, friendly and engaged in busy environments — think hospital rooms, bustling hallways or school reading corners. We look for pets who aren’t fearful of loud noises, unusual objects or unfamiliar people. A consistently wagging tail and a willingness to offer a gentle nuzzle or accept affection from strangers are strong signs they’re ready.

If a little polish is needed, our  Canine Manners and Tricks classes provide a great foundation for future therapy work. Pets and handlers who are ready can go straight into our Paws for Health️ training course, which includes hands-on practice with polite leash walking, greeting behaviors, working around wheelchairs and walkers, and even learning a few entertaining tricks like “spin” and “touch.” One particularly heartwarming skill involves teaching a dog to rest their chin on a lap — a small gesture that makes a big emotional impact. New handlers also have the opportunity to shadow an experienced therapy team, gaining insight and confidence before making their solo-visit debut.

Graduates receive a certificate, a volunteer T-shirt for the handler and a Paws for Health️ bandana for the pet — a celebration of their commitment to compassion. Once certified, teams are ready to sign up for scheduled visits and begin making meaningful connections all over RVA.

Making a difference one paw at a time

From first visits filled with nervous excitement to heartwarming moments of connection, each team writes their own story: A reserved senior adult welcoming the sight of a familiar furry friend with a once-rare smile. A student decompressing with a chin on their lap after a stressful exam. A nurse taking a well-earned pause to pet a gentle dog or a calm kitty.

This February, we proudly celebrated the graduation of five new teams — Debbie and Bohdi; Sarah and Annie; Ben and Barney; Linda and Charlie Grace; and Mary and Delilah. Each one is already making a difference in the community, and we’re always looking to welcome more. If you’ve ever wondered whether your pet has what it takes to bring joy to others, we invite you to explore joining us. Or, if you’re part of a workplace, school or care facility that could benefit from a visit, we’d love to hear from you. Because sometimes, all it takes to brighten someone’s day is a wet nose, a warm heart and a wagging tail.

To coordinate a visit, submit a pet visitation request form at Pet Visitation Programs – Richmond SPCA. To join the team, reach out to volunteer@richmondspca.org for more information.

Blog written by assistant manager of volunteers Zoë Royall. Photos taken by the Richmond SPCA volunteer team.