How to Choose a Puppy

About Us

Paulette Bethel was one of the founders of Intermountain Therapy Animals in 1993 (she even thought up the name). A lifelong animal enthusiast, she has been a dolphin trainer at Sea World, a horse trainer and equitation instructor/exhibitor, and eventually, concentrated on dogs, serving as ITA's Training Director. She was a Pet Partner® for ten years with three different Doberman companions; and she was a longtime Delta Society Team Evaluator and Delta Master Evaluator Instructor.

Paulette has been writing and editing newsletters, columns, and articles since 1980 with the conception and execution of 'Insights', a monthly paper devoted to metaphysical concepts. For ten years she was the Training Director for the largest animal volunteer group in Utah,  Intermountain Therapy Animals, a Delta Society affiliate, she helped found and develop. As Training Director, Paulette worked with 200 volunteers and their animals teaching therapeutic techniques to aid health care professionals.

She also hosted a weekly talk show on the radio where listeners were urged to call in with their questions about how to better care for their pets. She has made numerous television appearances with one or another of her registered Doberman Pet Partners promoting the use of animals for therapeutic techniques.

As one of only a handful of Master Instructors for the Delta Society, Paulette traveled the country lecturing and giving seminars on animal assisted therapeutic techniques. As part of her duties she wrote a column about training techniques for handlers. Much of this was published via the Internet and has evolved into giving PowerPoint presentations on how to choose the proper pet and how to train that pet. These presentations are now available on CD and offered only on this site under the Products section.

Paulette has had a book written about how she got involved with Animal Assisted Therapy. The author, Jo Coudert, conducted interviews and observed the amazing things the animals inspired children and adults in need of motivation, to do. The book is entitled 'The Good Shepherd' and addresses specific training techniques and heartwarming success stories. A booklet, 'The Healing Power of Pets' has several anecdotes about Testa and what she accomplished as a Delta Pet Partner with Paulette.

Often Pet Partners animals can help people to respond when they might not otherwise. A head injury had left Lewis with limited speaking abilities. In order to get Lewis to try harder, Paulette instructed her Doberman, Testa, to react only when Lewis gave verbal commands. Because Lewis enjoyed having Testa listen to him, he spoke more often and gradually became more verbal.

Paulette, who started working with animals more than 30 years ago as a dolphin trainer, also trains and evaluates Pet Partners teams in her community. Patients involved with physical rehabilitation programs with animals show increased motivation to perform their exercises.

Paulette continues to work with her dogs and to create simple, easy to follow instructional DVD's and CD's. Choosing the right puppy is paramount to creating a lasting relationship with your dog and the rest of your family.

Take the time to fully ecaluate your puppy before choosing the dog you and your family will include in your lives for years to come.