In a quiet corner of rural Louisa County, several dogs bred at Virginia Poodles & Doodles are doing more than serving as family companions — they are working as certified therapy dogs, supporting hospital patients, children with terminal illnesses, and even partnering with a school resource officer.

Founder Shannon Doa says watching her puppies grow into service-minded roles has been one of the most meaningful parts of her work.

“One of my favorite toy poodle boys is now a certified therapy dog,” Doa said. “He was a spicy and outgoing puppy and now works with children with terminal illness and is a regular in northern Virginia hospitals. Another standard poodle became Officer Earl and works alongside his dad as a high school resource officer. Prestley, a medium goldendoodle, is now a registered therapy dog and excels in agility.”

Beyond therapy placements, Doa is also expanding her rescue efforts. She frequently takes in poodle and doodle rescues and is planning to build a separate quarantine facility to safely integrate new arrivals into her existing pack.

“We often take in poodle and doodle rescues,” Doa said. “Adding a separate quarantine building will help keep everyone safe until new arrivals receive a clean bill of health.”

These outreach and rescue initiatives reflect a mission that began more than a decade ago with one dog and a deep love for the breed.

“I was just a girl with a love for dogs, and I turned it into a business,” Doa said. “I often tell people my mom wouldn’t let me have a puppy as a child, so I grew up and surrounded myself with them.”

Virginia Poodles & Doodles began modestly, with one dog and an outside stud. Over time, the program evolved into a carefully curated breeding operation with its own stud and a select group of health-tested mothers. What started with a small utility sink in a back room has grown into a full-service facility that includes an on-site grooming salon, an outdoor puppy playground, and dedicated spaces for visiting families.

The program specializes in AKC Poodles, Goldendoodles, and F1 Cavapoos. Doa’s affinity for poodles began in childhood.

“It’s always been my dream to have a poodle,” she said. “After adopting a standard poodle, I fell in love with their intelligence and athleticism.”

“You get the family-friendly nature of a golden retriever blended with the intelligence of a poodle — it’s a winning combination,” Doa said. “Cavaliers are hands down the sweetest dog breed I’ve ever met.

Crossing them with a poodle gives a happy-go-lucky combo with a side of smarts that can’t be beat.”
The five-acre Louisa property plays a significant role in the dogs’ development. Adult dogs have full access to the home and land, living as part of what Doa describes as “one happy pack.”

“Living deep in Louisa County gives the dogs a sense of freedom I don’t feel they would get in a city setting,” she said.

Puppies are raised inside the home, where early neurological stimulation begins at just three days old. Doa follows Puppy Culture protocols, a structured developmental program designed to build resilience and stress recovery.

“We hold each puppy for three seconds in several different positions to acclimate them to small amounts of stress,” she explained. “They learn that people are a safe place. As they grow, we introduce different surfaces, low stairs, ramps, toys, and recorded sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners, and even city noise.”

At four weeks, grooming simulation begins using an electric toothbrush to prepare curly-coated breeds for lifelong grooming needs.

Health testing is central to the breeding program. Parent dogs undergo breed-specific testing through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), including cardiac, eye, and hip evaluations where appropriate. Cavaliers receive annual EKG screenings. All breeding dogs also undergo comprehensive DNA testing through Embark, with results publicly available.

“We don’t skip health testing,” Doa said. “People deserve to know they are getting the best dog possible.”

Virginia Poodles & Doodles offers a five-year genetic health guarantee and 30 days of complimentary Trupanion pet insurance. Doa maintains ongoing contact with families, offering lifetime support and boarding for dogs bred through the program. “I save each family in my phone with a photo of the dog they adopted,” she said. “I love getting updates about how they’ve grown and what they’re accomplishing.”

Despite increasing demand for Goldendoodles and Cavapoos, Doa emphasizes quality over quantity. “Breeding is not just playing with puppies all day,” she said. “It’s a lot of work and responsibility. Don’t pick a breed because it’s popular — pick it because you love it.”

Doa regularly engages with the Louisa community, bringing dogs to the local senior center and participating in community events. One poodle even appeared in the Louisa Halloween parade styled with a skeleton-themed haircut.

Jen Bailey

Hi! I’m Jennifer Bailey and I partner with entrepreneurs who have massive ideas that could change the world. Most marketing is meaningless. Filled with empty promises, its only job is to bring in new traffic, new leads, and new customers. But I’ve drawn a line in the sand, and I’ve learned that marketing can do so much more than reach business goals and build profit. My methods give businesses the fire and soul they need to reach the right people, set the groundwork for sustainable relationships, and offer true value to the people on both the giving and receiving ends of marketing.

Read more about me here