Three Questions - Paulette Solinski

By Jamie Damato Migdal, CEO & Pet Industry Entrepreneur

Behind the scenes, Paulette Solinksi is the legal counsel for CanineLink, and is the person who makes sure we get all of those important details exactly right. But most people who come to our classes and seminars know her as the owner of The Amazing Sitka (pictured, left).

Which dog has taught you the most, and why? I have learned something from every dog I get to know, but I guess my first dog as an adult taught me the most - an Old English Sheepdog named Lindsay. I learned how much work and responsibility a dog really is and how much goes into getting a dog you want to live with (while keeping your shoes intact). At the end of her life, she also taught me how to let go - although that is a lesson I will always struggle with.

How do you “pay it forward”? My favorite volunteer activity is animal assisted therapy. I am part of Paws-4-Patients, which is an affiliate of Pet Partners. At least once a week I take one of my dogs to visit in different facilities - a hospice, a home for developmentally disabled women, a hospital, or a nursing home - and visit with the patients or residents. I am also a licensed therapy dog evaluator and course instructor for Pet Partners.

How does your work as a lawyer inform your work as a dog trainer, and vice versa? Working as a corporate lawyer actually requires a lot of creativity and flexibility - you need to make things work for your clients. Dog training is similar - you need to make training work for your clients and their dogs, and not wedge everyone into a one-size-fits-all solution.