A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF CFTS

Short CFTS photo view:

Companions for the Soul seeks to improve the quality of life of people and animals in need, including but not limited to, children, seniors, veterans, and families through innovative AAT/AAA (Animal Assisted Therapy/Activity) programs.

Scroll down the screen to see samplings of some of our CFTS Projects listed below (be sure take a moment to visit our other sites listed in the bottom, right-hand corner):

1. AAH/CFTS Partner Program, Handicapped ECE
2. Working with deaf ECE students
3. Sharing Chloe, special needs class
4. Counting toes with Holly
5. Doggie manners 101
6. Testing pre k
7. Working with hard to reach middle school children
8. Senior Facilities

9. Enriching Elementary School Programs

10. High Schools Dance FOR our Stars!

1. AAH/CFTS PARTNER PROGRAM, Handicapped ECE children

Companions for the Soul and Animal Assisted Happiness Partner Program. CFTS's individual class visits are reinforced by semi-monthly visits from AAH. The two groups coordinate their programs to best meet the needs of this very special facility and dedicated caring staff. Many of the handlers are retired teachers & health care professionals.

SLIDE SHOW #1 LEFT.. Companions for the Soul team working closely with the staff, bring their special charm and professional expertise to the classroom to build on the individual needs of the children .

SLIDE SHOW #2 LEFT. Short slide show viewing ECE (Early Childhood Education) teachers and their students being introduced to an array of animals. The students are children with Special needs; autism, blind, deaf and severely handicapped

Sign and Voice (love this)

Good Morning Song ECE Staff

SLIDE SHOW #3 LEFT. Same mix of teachers, AAT/AAA Teams & children as seen in previous video. The location has changed from outside to inside. The children are more familar with the teams now and some respond with the hint of a smile. I can honestly say, we all grow and benefit greatly from these magical sessions.

2. WORKING WITH DEAF ECE STUDENTS

SLIDE SHOW LEFT: Featuring Oso, a deaf dog adopted by Captain Jack from the SF Humane Society. This magical Companions for the Soul Team works with deaf ECE (Early Childhood Education) children. The match couldn't have been better. Dogs, like people, need a purpose in life. Captain Jack will tell you, "This special dog truly loves working with his special children. When he puts on his vest, he knows he is going to work!" Added to the magic, Captain Jack is a real captain! If you ever took the Alcatraz Cruise in San Francisco Bay, he may have been the Captain of your vessel!

VIDEO LEFT: Watch how Teacher JACKIE skillfully utilizes the CFTS team to enrich her young students' desire to learn Sign Language. Of equal amazement, the students' focus seldom shifts during the bi-monthly hour long sessions. Quite an accomplishment for any child in this age group. WTG JACKIE, OSO and CAPTAIN JACK!

Can I pet Oso?

3. SHARING CHLOE, SPECIAL NEEDS CLASS.

Charlene is a gifted, tireless 1st Grade Teacher and Chloe is a kind, gentle rescue dog with a mission. Watching them bring their special talents to the children is always a delight.

SLIDE SHOW LEFT: Charlene and Chole work with the special needs teacher and parents to enhance the lives of these special needs children. The team brings sunshine to all that they touch; it truly is magic.

VIDEO LEFT: We were blessed to be there to capture this touching video of a young boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We had no idea this was going to take place when he picked up the book to read.

Note from his mom - " Thank you for sharing the video with me (I didn't realize the sessions were being filmed, so what a treat!). Wiping away tears of joy as I type! Sharing the video with others lets us be a part of the greater community, and in turn, help others in need. Not sure what info you'd like to post about him - it's hard for me to sum him up in 30 words or less ... he's incredibly intuitive, warms your heart, and aligns himself musically with almost every aspect of his life, even "reading".

5. DOGGIE MANNERS 101

VIDEO LEFT. Developed for the Pre K program. Gary and Jodie seen in this video are members of the Companions for the Soul Kids Team. These dynamic children are way beyond their years in compassion and giving; wonderful role models for adults as well as children.

NOTE: Four Companions for the Soul teams combined their talents to develop a special program for our Pre Schoolers, Teacher Bev (first grade teacher), Gary & Holly; Teacher Julie (MA/CCC Speech/Language Pathologist) & Molly, Barbara & Pono and a wonderful father and daughter team, Todd, Jodie & Parker. More online at Pre K is Going to the Dogs

6. TESTING AREAS, PRE K

VIDEO LEFT: Claudia, a Clinician MFT, works with children & their caregivers in the Bay Area. She graciously tests new areas for CFTS, many of which grow into new CFTS programs. The "Tails are not for pulling" video shows our first visit with Pre K children. Watch how Claudia & Teddy keep the children's attention while enhancing their social skills.

Thanks to this "testing of the water" by Claudia and Teddy, four more CFTS Teams later started development of our highly successful Pre K Program.

7. WORKING WITH HARD TO REACH MIDDLE SCHOOL CHILDREN.

As mentioned earlier, Claudia, a Clinician MFT, works with children & their caregivers in the Bay Area. Claudia tests the water for some of our future Companions for the Soul programs in development.

The unedited, raw videos to your left show how Claudia & Teddy skillfully set the stage for possible future one-on-one sessions with hard to reach middle school children.

All of the videos from the session are list: be sure to watch at least one to see the magic of this delightful team in action:

1. Meeting a new dog
2. Practice

3. Don't run!

4. Lost dog

5. Respect

6. About Teddy

FIRST VIDEO LEFT.

MEETING A NEW DOG. Companions for the Soul's Claudia & Teddy Bear's first session with difficult to reach middle school students. Watch as she reinforces social skills as she builds trust teaching the children the basics of dog safety. As stated, this group session introduction leads into possible future hourly, weekly 1 on 1 and/or small group sessions for these children with a CFTS team..

The teacher of the class was surprised Claudia and a small 'foo foo' dog (in the teacher's words) would hold the interest of even his toughest boys for close to an hour. His first words at the end of Claudia & Teddy's session were, "When are they coming back?". He was delighted "his kids" were quiet and totally focused but still amazed at what just took place.

What he didn't realize was his students were completely submerged in the special chemistry between Teddy Bear & Claudia. AAT/AAA, coupled with Claudia's special charm and expertise working with challenged children are the keys to this successful session. The magic happens when the team shares the same respect and love.

A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF CFTS

Short CFTS photo view:

1. AAH/CFTS PARTNER PROGRAM, SPECIAL NEEDS ECE

2. WORKING WITH DEAF ECE STUDENTS.

3. SHARING CHLOE, SPECIAL NEEDS CLASS.

4. COUNTING TOES WITH HOLLY

5. DOGGIE MANNERS 101

6. TESTING AREAS, PRE K

7. WORKING WITH HARD TO REACH MIDDLE SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Does your dog have what it takes?