Front Matter

570 Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

considerations in terms of construction. An
individual starting a rehabilitation business
must think like an owner in terms of profitabil-
ity. Fancy art and chairs will not generate a
return on investment, although indirectly they
might make a client more comfortable, which
might translate into personal recommendations
and thus increased business. However, in gen-
eral, the emphasis should be on equipment,
supplies that can be sold, and services.

Therapy room/gym

This room will need to have space to set up
cavaletti poles and cones, wobble boards, pea-
nuts, and a land treadmill (Figures  23.1 and
23.2). Flooring in this room is important since
many patients will have a compromised gait
and will need extra traction to help them
walk/stand.

Acupuncture

This service requires a calming, quiet area away
from other animals where the patient is not
tempted to get up in the middle of treatment.
Here, comfortable flooring or a soft mat, quiet
music, dimmable lighting, and windows in the
door to avoid unnecessary interruptions are all
suggested (Figure 23.3).

Pool

The space for this will depend on the dimen-

sions of the pool. There are requirements in

terms of drains, equipment, and power needs

that will vary depending on whether the pool is

Figure 23.1 Gym area with treatment bays,
demonstrating large space with natural light and good
nonslip flooring. Source: Image courtesy of the Beach
Animal Rehabilitation Center.

Figure 23.2 Gym equipment including land treadmill,

cavaletti poles and cones, and physio rolls. Source: Image

courtesy of the Beach Animal Rehabilitation Center.

Figure 23.3 Acupuncture room with mat rather than

exam table. Source: Image courtesy of the Beach Animal

Rehabilitation Center.