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May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness, break stigma, and promote healing. At the heart of this important movement, facility dogs play a unique and impactful role. These specially trained animals provide emotional support, foster a sense of calm, and help individuals navigate challenging environments such as hospitals, therapy centers, schools, and crisis facilities. Their presence can reduce anxiety, ease feelings of isolation, and build meaningful connections, offering comfort where it's needed most. Whether sitting beside a patient or helping a child manage trauma, facility dogs are more than companions—they’re partners in healing. This month, we celebrate the incredible bond between humans and facility dogs and the important work they do every day for mental wellness. SDV is proud to currently have 14 working facility dogs, each making a significant impact across various environments: Maggie and Ole at Region Ten William and Chaya at Ready Kids Josie, Gus, and Aiden at universities Lily with the UVA Police Department Zuhey and Fiddy working as Courthouse Dogs Conrad at Davis Child Advocacy Center Heiser at Lake Manassas Health and Rehab Facility Wagner and Lincoln in private practice counseling
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