Our Companion Animal Assisted Therapy Teams

All of the programs listed here are run by certified, insured pet assisted or companion animal assisted therapy facilitators. Any of these professionals can customize a program to fit in with your needs.

The Love Connection

Bibbit Pitou, and Mr. B with Claire Senecal, have a professional companion animal assisted therapy program for youth and adults with developmental disabilities. This program focuses on encouraging physical activity, increasing verbal interactions, and encouraging the participants to socialize and interact with others and the therapy pets. More about Mr. B (Beano).

Sit, Stay and Heal

Jesse and Lisa have a program develped for adults with developmental disabilities and elementary school age children with special needs. Sessions focus on self-accptance and interactions with a non-judgemental companion animal.

Maxwell’s Magic Makes A Difference

Maxwell and Dianne Calho make a difference in many places. They work at two NAFI group homes for boys in their teens to help relieve the boys’ stress and anxiety while passing out some love. They work in reading and dog safety programs for young people from kindergarten to teens. They visit homes, hospitals, and hospice. Everywhere they go, Maxwell's magic does indeed make a difference.

Time With Abbey

Abbey and Joanne help developmentally disabled people to focus outward and ineract with others more easil. They are in the process of establishing a program at an interim home for teenage girls.

Maggies Massage for the Soul

Maggie and Elissa provide comfort and friendship to elderly residents and have a calming effect on Alshiemer's, psychiatric and dementia patients. They serve several facilities in the area as well as Home and Hospice of Rhode Island.

Debbie Soares, CAATF
Population served: Primarily elderly nursing home residents. We service those in rehabilitative care, acute care, and Alzheimer’s/Dementia care. For more information, contact Debbie at smile7sing@aol.com

Betsy Daniels, OT
Betsy works with her dog partners Rupert and Vinnie mainly in pediatrics—both in schools and clinics. Betsy and her teammates have also volunteered in rehabs in an Alzheimer’s unit. Her Canine Capers Literacy Program is designed to motivate reluctant writers and to enhance the creativity level of all students. The program features the adventures of a pup named Butterball and is appropriate for students enrolled in regular and special education classes at the elementary and middle school level.

Lulu's Book Group

Lulu's Book Group is a professional pet assisted therapy/literacy program with a focus on writing, reading, and communication. Since 2003Lulu and Susan Olson have provided their 4-6 week program in elementary schools (grades 1 to 3). They currently have adapted their program for groups of children, teens, and young adults with communication, cognitive, and/or physical disabilities who are participating in educational and rehabilitation services at the Sargent Rehabilitation Center in Warwick, RI.