Big Heart Therapy Dogs

Bringing comfort, connection, and compassion - one visit at a time.

What we do

We provide certified therapy dog visits to nursing homes, assisted living communities, hospitals, schools, and families throughout Hampton Roads and surrounding areas.

Our therapy dog teams offer:

Emotional comfort and companionship
Meaningful interaction and conversation
Stress relief and gentle support
A calming presence during difficult moments.

Each visit is designed to bring warmth, dignity, and connection to those we serve

Services

Brining comfort, connection, and compassion - one visit at a time

Facility Visits

We provide scheduled visits to select nursing homes, assisted living communities, hospitals, schools, and community facilities throughout Hampton Roads.

At this time, visits are coordinated based on existing partnerships, volunteer approval requirements, and availability.

As a small program, we are currently serving select partner facilities and may not be able to accommodate all new request immediately.

If your facility is interested in becoming a partner location, please contact us to discuss next steps.

Personal Therapy Dog Visits

We offer limited 30-minute personal visits for individuals and families by request.

Personal visits are primarily provided in private homes or approved community settings. Visits within facilities are subject to volunteer requirements and administrative approval.

All visits are scheduled based on availability and existing commitments.

Personal visits are supported by a suggested donation, which helps us continue serving the community and expanding our outreach.

We never want cost to be a barrier - please reach out with questions or special circumstances.

Compassionate Support Visits

We provide gentle, comfort-focused therapy dog visits for individuals experiencing illness, transitions or difficult seasons. Visits are scheduled thoughtfully and based on availability.

Community & Corporate Engagement

We also offer limited morale-boosting therapy dog visits for business, schools, and community events.

Visits are scheduled based on availability and current program capacity.

Please contact us to discuss your organizations needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are therapy dog visits free?
Facility visits are provided through existing partnerships and volunteer coordination. At this time, visits are scheduled based on availability and established facility approval requirements. Personal visits are supported by suggested donation contributions to help sustain and grow the program.

What is the suggested donation for a personal visit?
Suggested donations typically range from $25–$75 per 30-minute visit. Larger contributions help support hospice and community outreach visits. We never want cost to be a barrier - please reach out with questions or special circumstances.

Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes. Big Heart Animal Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations may be tax-deductible as permitted by law. Donation receipts are available upon request.

Where do visits take place?
Personal visits may occur in private homes or approved community settings. Visits within facilities are subject to volunteer policies and administrative approval.

How far in advance should visits be requested?

We recommend submitting request at least 1-2 weeks in advance when possible. Availability is limited and scheduled around existing commitments.

Do we already visit your facility?

We currently provide therapy dog visits to select assisted living communities, rehabilitation centers, and healthcare facilities throughout the Hampton Roads area. If you're unsure whether we already partnered with your location, please feel free to reach out.

Current and recent visit locations include:

York Post Acute - Yorktown, VA

The Hamilton - Yorktown, VA

Regency - Yorktown, VA

Riverside Regional - Newport News, VA (limited visits by request) Riverside maintains an established therapy dog program with several dedicated volunteer teams. Patients and families may also coordinate visits directly through Riverside Volunteer Services .

As a small, volunteer-led program, additional facility partnerships are added based on availability and program capacity.

We are always open to exploring meaningful partnerships that align with our mission and volunteer capacity.

Request a Visit

Please complete the appropriate form below. Visits are scheduled based on availability and current program capacity

Facility Organization Visit Request

Thank you for your interest in hosting a Big Heart Therapy Dog visit. We provide comfort-focused therapy dog visits to select facilities and community organizations through Hampton Roads. As a small, volunteer-led program, new partnerships are reviewed based on availability and program capacity

Facility / Organization Name

Primary Contact Name

Contact Email

Phone

Type of organization

Does your facility currently host any therapy dog programs or visiting therapy teams?

Yes -We have an existing therapy dog program

Yes - Visiting therapy teams come occasionally

No - We do not currently have therapy dog visits

Facility Address

Estimated Number of Participants

Preferred Date

Please select your preferred date. Visits are scheduled based on availability , existing commitments and facility approval requirements when appliable.

Preferred time of day

Purpose of visit

I understand visits are scheduled based on availability, volunteer approval requirements, and current program capacity.

Personal Therapy Dog Visit

Thank you for your interest in scheduling a personal therapy dog visit. These visits are typically provided in private homes, hospice settings, or by special request. As a small, volunteer-led program, availability is reviewed based on scheduling and program capacity.

First name

Last name

Phone

Type of Visit

Location of visit (City + Setting): Example (Yorktown- private home) / (Newport News - office event)

Preferred Date

Please select your preferred date. Visits are scheduled based on availability, existing commitments, and facility approval requirements when applicable.

Preferred time of day

Additional Details

I understand that submitting this form does not guarantee a visit date. Visits are scheduled based on availability, existing commitments, and facility approval requirements when applicable.

Big Heart Animal Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Suggested donations supporting personal and organizational therapy dog visits may be tax deductible as permitted by law.