The Center for Human-Animal Interaction

Specialties

The Center for Human-​Animal Interaction is an interdisciplinary facility housed in the VCU School of Medicine. It provides clinical service through the therapy dog program Dogs On Call, research, and education on the human-​animal bond. Pet Loss support is also available through participating veterinary clinics.

History

Established in 2001.

The Center for Human-​Animal Interaction (CHAI) was established in the School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, and was the first Center of its kind in the nation to be established in a School of Medicine.

Although still a relatively new subject of inquiry, the human-​animal interaction is receiving more and more research attention. Accumulating results of this research support the contention that interacting with companion animals has health benefits. The Center for Human-​Animal Interaction furthers that research, encourages the incorporation and evaluation of appropriate companion animals into healthcare facilities, and infuses results of research findings into academic and medical curricula.

Meet the Business Owner

Dr. Sandra Barker B.

Business Owner

Dr. Sandra Barker, Center Director, is Professor of Psychiatry and Bill Balaban Chair in Human-​Animal Interaction. Her research, clinical, and teaching activities relate to psychological trauma and the health benefits of interacting with companion animals.