Canine V - From Head To Tail: The Business of Canine Physical Rehabilitation

A minimum of one elective is required for all participants.

Prerequisites

Participant must:

• Participant must be a veterinarian, veterinary technician, physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapist or an actively enrolled student in on of these fields.

Course Description:

This one day course and independent study will give the student the opportunity to discover the goals and objectives of establishing a small animal rehabilitation practice. Each participant will be given the opportunity to submit a practice plan for their own establishment that will be personally be reviewed and commented on by the instructor. The course will review the basis for establishment of a practice, costs associated with start up and establishment of the practice, equipment and staffing needs, practice guidelines, referrals, and the ins and outs of running the business. This is a one day course with extensive time for questions and feedback on the business and financial aspects of canine physical rehabilitation. (In addition to the one day course, the participant will need to submit a business plan in to the instructor within six (6) weeks of the completion of the course for review. The course will not be completed until this portion is complete. The instructor will return the business plan with comments and reviews for the participant in a timely manner.)

Dr. Debbie Gross Saunders has been practicing canine physical rehabilitation for over sixteen years and has a well established practice. Her practical knowledge and experience is second to none and she will be able to share her establishment of her practice. Her practice currently sees fifteen to twenty five rehabilitation cases per day, and has referrals from over two hundred veterinarians in the New England area. Please visit her website Wizard of Paws. Her individualized attention to your business plan is invaluable.

Learning Outcomes:

1) Introduction of the establishment of a small animal physical rehabilitation

2) The participant will gain an understanding of the basis for starting a small animal physical rehabilitation practice

3) The participant will gain an understanding of the costs associated with initiating a small animal rehabilitation practice inclusive of equipment, staff, building and structure, education, etc.

4) The participant will gain an understanding of how to market a small animal rehabilitation center to the veterinarian community.

5) The participant will gain an understanding on offering additional programs to the community to increase revenue to the rehabilitation center, inclusive of conditioning and weight loss programs.

6) The participant will gain an understanding of staffing and maintaining a canine rehabilitation center. .

7) The participant will gain an understanding of the different aspects of canine physical rehabilitation and what aspect would be best suited for the individual area and clinic.

8) The participant will be able to view equipment available to rehabilitation centers.