We’re in the Veterinary Nursing Times!

See page 22, of the Veterinary Nursing Times, under “career focus”.

We have nearly a whole page dedicated to our article. We couldn’t be more pleased be be sharing our kickstarter experience and helping to encourage others to find a way to achieve their career dreams and goals.

It has been truly wonderful to see how much support we are getting for our Puppy Massage DVD, from the veterinary industry.

vnt kickstart article. Sadly this hasnt scanned very clearly, so I have put my copy of the article below

I first came across Kickstarter a few years ago, when I saw some very innovative ideas, ranging from printable housing for Africa, to a mini space craft that was so affordable that anyone could join in space exploration with their own mini space craft. It sounds incredible, but they were successful!

This fuelled my imagination as this new method of funding is for anyone. All you need is a unique idea! Kickstarter is a leader in crowdfunding, but there are many sites so you can find one that will totally fit your needs. They give you full guidance, encouragement and support every step of the way.

You have to prepare your pitch, as you’re asking everyone in the world to back your project. As a “backer”, you become an investor.

This is not like with the banks, where you have to invest large sums of money for very little return. You invest whatever amount you choose to, and in exchange you get rewards that are totally unique! It’s often a great bargain and these rewards are often not available at any other time.

You get to join the project journey as it unfolds from start to finish, and know that it’s because of you, that this is here today! You can pitch for any amount of money, but the catch is that you have to get all your funds in less than 60 days! So you must be realistic. If you don’t get the fund goal, then the project ends and you get no funds at all and the backers get all their money back. This is great protection for the backer as it means they don’t lose out just because you didn’t reach your goal.

So while your project is running, you need to do all you can to market your campaign. This is brilliant as it also helps publicise the end product.

Social media is a big help. The crowdfunding site will give you tips on how best to do this, but again, it’s your imagination that will help here! It doesn’t have to cost anything!

My project idea was born from my career as a veterinary nurse. Seeing pets that weren’t exceptionally great at being handled and were nervous in the consultation room was always a little sad.

More correct handling as a puppy was always the most effective route to getting a confident and happy dog that was totally comfortable being examined.

When I became an animal physiotherapist, I learned good, effective massage techniques. I had to use this as part of treatment. I regularly had to show owners what to do to help with successful rehabilitation at home.

Owners loved to learn the massage and their dogs loved to receive it. But it did take some practice to get it right, and there is no better way to learn than actually seeing something being done, rather than just reading about it or looking at pictures.

So the idea was born – a puppy massage DVD. designed to teach owners how to massage their new little bundles of joy in the comfort and privacy of their own home.

Rather like the very popular baby massage, new mums often do, owners will be able to form a strong bond and learn to confidently and correctly handle their puppy and touch them all over.

I believe this will be great for the consultation room, so vets have happy confident puppies to examine. And there are of course all the other well-known benefits of massage including endorphin release, increased circulation and much more.

This would also be a good grounding, so that if the owner ever has to learn any therapeutic massage techniques in the future from a professional, then they will have a better understanding of how to do this.

Television Vet Paul Manketelow MRCVS, founder of Vital Pet Health is also in support of this project.

Visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/877499266/puppy-massage-dvd to see the project and maybe even “back” this project.

While you are there have a look at the thousands of other projects and see if you may be inspired to find a project of your own to do. It’s a very exciting way to get your own business ideas off the ground and make dreams a reality.