March 2026 | Edition 27 | Northern Virginia's Therapy Dog E-Letter

When do we spring forward?

In 2026, daylight saving time will begin at 2 a.m. on March 8, according to Time and Date. U.S. residents should set their clocks forward one hour, to 3 a.m.

Back on the Floor

A deep dive into therapy dogs returning to active duty.

Step Back In — Read “Back on the Floor”

The First Visit Back

We tell the human story through the dog’s interaction.

Where Presence Becomes Purpose — Read the Article

The "Proust Effect" of the Park

An anatomical look at the canine olfactory system and how spring scents impact a working dog's brain.

Focus. Forward. Read More

A 36-year-old woman says her dog’s unusual behavior led to the early detection of her breast cancer, and also her husband's colon cancer — a powerful reminder of the canine sense we’re only beginning to understand. Sometimes, the bond goes deeper than we know.

Read about "Ceto"

Not All Vests Are the Same

A factual sidebar clarifying the boundaries between Therapy, Service, and ESA roles.

Before the Vest Goes On… Read This

From the Page to the Floor

Request a Visit

We don't just write about the "emotional thaw"—we deliver it.

The certified therapy teams are currently "back on the floor" across Northern Virginia, bridging the gap between clinical care and human connection. Whether you are seeking a moment of calm for healthcare staff, a literacy boost for students, or a neurological "reset" for patients, Canine Concierge is ready to serve.

Request a Therapy Dog Visit

Subscriber Favorites

The Muddy Paw Print

By — ChatGPT Plus & Gemini

Practical advice on navigating "The Muddy Paw Print" of
a Virginia spring

March Moments: The Spring Circuit

Your guide to Northern Virginia dog-focused events and community engagement.

Sunday, March 01

Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Dog Show

Old Town Alexandria

Family-friendly parade with a fun dog show segment. Largest in NOVA.

Monday, March 02

Snow Moon Fest (Dog-Friendly)

Massanutten Resort
1822 Resort Drive
Massanutten, VA 22840

Includes Polar Plunge, live music, and kid’s activities. Dogs welcome.

Friday, March 06

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Frolick Small Puppy Playgroups
Frolick Dogs LLC
3208 Colvin St, Alexandria VA 22314
These offer structured socialization in a supervised environment — great for puppies and young dogs in early public engagement training.

Saturday, March 07

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Canines and Clovers at Shipgarten

McLean

A festive St. Paddy’s kickoff. Perfect for social therapy dogs who enjoy a lively, outdoor biergarten atmosphere with an off-leash dog park for post-work play.

12:00 PM; Parade steps off at 12:30 PM
Ballyshaners St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Alexandria

Where leashed dogs are welcome to march and enjoy the festivities. (BringFido)
The 2026 route has been updated! It now begins at Wolfe Street and St. Asaph Street, moving through a new heart-of-the-city path.

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Lucky Dog Adoption Event (Arlington)

Dogma Bakery, 2772 S Arlington Mill Dr., Arlington, VA

Sunday, March 08

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

FOHA Spring Cleanup & Adoption Events

Fleetwood Farm Winery
23075 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, VA.

Helping local rescues prepare for the "kitten and puppy season" surge. March 8 & March 28

Friday, March 13 – Sunday, March 15, 2026

Super Pet Expo

(Manassas)

The ultimate indoor gathering at the Manassas Mall. Great for teams to observe high-level "Celebrity Pups" demonstrations and explore the latest in therapy gear.

Saturday, March 14, 2026

2:00 PM

Read to the Dog with PAL

Pohick Meeting Room 1, Pohick Meeting Room 2

Library Branch:

Pohick Regional Library

Support young readers as they practice their skills with certified therapy dogs. (Registration opens late February).

1:00–3:00 PM

Dog adoption fair at Weber’s Pet Supermarket

(11135 Main St, Fairfax, VA).

Come meet available adoptable dogs and learn about adoption or fostering. (SPCA of Northern Virginia)

Sunday, March 15

11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Dog Bowl Market

Black Dog Salvage, Roanoke, VA

Leashed dogs welcome. Vendors, food, music, and handmade goods.

12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Lucky Dog "Spring Fling" Adoption Event (Falls Church)

PetSmart Falls Church,
6100A Arlington Blvd.

Friday, March 20

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Frolick Small Dog Playgroup
Frolick Dogs LLC
3208 Colvin St, Alexandria VA 22314
These offer structured socialization in a supervised environment — great for young dogs in early public engagement training.

Friday, March 20 – April 4

The National Cherry Blossom Festival

Washington, DC

Includes several activities that are dog-friendly, such as walking areas, pet comfort stations, and Blossom Kite Festival events. (Pets aren’t always permitted at every portion, so final checks are recommended.) (BringFido)

Saturday, March 21-23

Spring Capital Art and Craft Festival
Chantilly, VA

A high-distraction indoor environment (Dulles Expo Center) ideal for teams nearing full re-entry readiness.

Tuesday, March 24

FOHA "Give Choose" 24-Hour Giving Day

Online / Community-wide.

This is the largest 24-hour day of giving for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier. Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA) is a primary participant.

Saturday, March 28

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

FOHA Spring Cleanup & Adoption Events

Briarwoods High School

22525 Belmont Ridge Road
Ashburn, VA 20148

Helping local rescues prepare for the "kitten and puppy season" surge.

1:00–3:00 PM

SPCA’s dog adoption fair

Weber’s Pet Supermarket

11135 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22030

Another session of the SPCA’s dog adoption fair at the same location. (SPCA of Northern Virginia)

10:00 AM
PVBMDC March Dog Walk
Manassas National Battlefield
6511 Sudley Road, Manassas, VA
Potomac Valley Bernese Mountain Dog Club
All Berners and Friends of Berners welcome!

Saturday, April 4

National Cherry Blossom Festival:
Petalpalooza

(DC/Arlington area)

The quintessential spring event. While crowded, it offers unique "pet comfort stations" and is a great place for veteran therapy teams to provide a calming presence amidst the blossom-watchers.

Quiet confidence for the moments that matter

Rights are rarely about confrontation.

Most of the time, they sit quietly in the background—unused, unnoticed, and thankfully unnecessary.

But in the moments when access is questioned, when a pause stretches a little too long at a doorway, or when a well-meaning voice asks the wrong question, it helps to know exactly where the line is—and where it isn’t.

The Only Questions That Matter

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there are just two questions a business or staff member may ask about a service dog:

Is the dog required because of a disability?
What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

That’s it.

You are not required to:

Disclose your diagnosis
Provide documentation, ID cards, or certificates
Show training records
Demonstrate the dog’s task

Source: ADA National Network — Service Animals
https://adata.org/service-animals

At a Business or Public Venue

If your dog is a trained service dog:

You may enter anywhere the public is normally allowed
A vest or harness is not required
Staff may not charge extra fees or isolate you

Your responsibility:

The dog must remain under control
The dog must not be disruptive or aggressive

If a service dog is out of control and the handler does not correct the behavior, the business may ask that the dog be removed—but must still offer service to the person without the dog.

ADA Guidance:
https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements/

Medical, Educational, and Government Settings

Service dogs retain access rights in:

Hospitals and clinics
Schools and universities
Government buildings

Exceptions may apply in:

Sterile environments
Areas where the dog’s presence would fundamentally alter safety or operations

When access must be limited, institutions are required to provide reasonable alternatives, not outright denial.

ADA Guidance for Medical Facilities:
https://adata.org/faq/service-animals-health-care-settings

Therapy Dogs and Invited Access

Therapy dogs are not covered by public access laws.

Their access:

Is granted by invitation or institutional policy
Depends on training, registration, and insurance requirements set by the hosting organization

This does not diminish their value, simply defines the framework in which they work.

American Kennel Club — Therapy Dogs Explained:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/therapy-dog-information/

A Human Reality Worth Naming

Knowing your rights does not obligate you to use them.

Some days, asserting access feels manageable.
Other days, it doesn’t.

Choosing peace over explanation, or retreat over correction, does not invalidate your rights—or your experience. The purpose of knowing the law is not to argue more, but to carry certainty quietly, ready only when needed.

Most of the time, the dog does the talking.

On rare occasions they can’t, it helps to know exactly
what you can say—and what you don’t owe anyone.

Therapy dogs don’t announce impact.
They sit, lean, wait, breathe —
and somehow, the room changes.

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501(c)(3) Nonprofit: 92-3451311
© 2026 Canine Concierge Corporation
Michael Stokes, Executive Director
10304 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
571-833-9703

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