Since 1999, our Paws for Health volunteers and their pets have been bringing comfort and companionship to local hospitals, nursing homes, and retirement communities in the Richmond area. Although the pandemic in 2020 forced us to pause this beloved program, it relaunched in 2025 with plans to expand the sites we visit to include workplaces, schools, and other community spaces. 

Our Paws for Reading volunteers complete the same training as our Paws for Health teams, bringing their special skills to classrooms at William Fox Elementary School. During the instructional day, students practice their developing reading skills by reading aloud to a supportive, nonjudgmental audience — our therapy pets. 

Research shows that reading to pets can improve students’ attitudes toward reading and enhance their skills, which are often linked to better academic performance and a more positive outlook on school. Of course, the dogs love the extra attention just as much as the students enjoy the experience! 

Paws for Reading is made possible thanks to the generosity of William E. and Nona M. Collin. 

All sizes and types of dogs and cats are welcome. Pets must be at least one year of age, spayed or neutered, up to date on their vaccines, and have lived in the home for at least 4 months. Handlers must be at least 16 years of age. Younger children (with permission) may accompany an adult who is a trained Paws for Health or Paws for Reading volunteer. 

Our training classes are great ways to prepare your dog to participate in our therapy programs. We recommend our Canine Manners and Tricks classes for prospective volunteers looking to do pet therapy work.

Application, evaluation and training process

• Application: To join the Paws for Health or Paws for Reading volunteer programs, start by submitting an application.
• Evaluation: The dog or cat and their handler will undergo a $10 evaluation with a Richmond SPCA representative to assess their readiness for Paws for Health or Paws for Reading visits.
• Training: If additional training is needed, the pair may be referred to a manners class at the Richmond SPCA. Pairs ready to become a therapy team may proceed to enroll in our four-week Paws for Health training course, which costs $80.
  • Handlers will have the opportunity to shadow an experienced team.
  • Therapy teams (both handler and pet) with at least one year of documented therapy experience may skip the Paws for Health training course.
• Graduation: Therapy teams will receive a certificate, a Richmond SPCA volunteer T-shirt for the handler and a bandana for the pet. Then, the therapy team can begin scheduling their own visits!

To remain active, therapy teams must make at least three visits every six months. Therapy teams who are inactive for a year or longer must undergo a re-evaluation.

Our Paws in the Community volunteers receive specialized training to take shelter pets on visits to workplaces, schools, and other community spaces. These outings offer the public the joy of animal companionship, give shelter pets a break from shelter life, and raise awareness about pets in need.

Volunteers must be 16 or older to participate in this program and must be a member of our general volunteer program. Learn more about our volunteer program, its requirements, and how to join.

Thanks so much for your interest in our pet visitation programs! We’d love to hear more about your interest in the form below. To accommodate your request, we kindly ask for a minimum of two weeks’ notice for the desired date(s) of visitation.