Shelley Paton, M.S., OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Shelley received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, with a concentration in Human Development, from California Polytechnic State University in 1995, followed by completion of her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University in 2000.  Her master’s thesis entitled “Canine Companions for Independence in Occupational Therapy” involved practitioner use of a service dog in facilities to help patients regain function, whether the patients’ needs were physical, emotional, or developmental in nature.  Her first golden retriever was a therapy dog, who visited children’s homes and skilled nursing facilities in the San Francisco bay area.  She has practiced in the area of pediatrics for over two decades, including clinic-based therapy, school-based therapy, and early intervention. She has truly enjoyed working with children ranging from birth up to 18 years of age but has found her calling in working with infants and toddlers. Shelley herself was born prematurely, as well as her nephew who was born 3 months prematurely, and so working with preemies has become one of her key interests.  In her spare time, she enjoys mountain biking, cooking creative vegan meals for her husband and daughter, crafting as often as possible, and taking her beloved golden retriever to the beach.