Course Overview
When running your own practice management skills can be as critical as clinical skills. Business Management for an Integrative Veterinary Practice is a course designed to introduce students to all aspects of managing their own integrative practice and developing their professional skills. Students will learn from practice owners and managers with many years of experience how to organize staff, manage finances and client relationships, understand common legal issues, keep up in a changing marketplace and more while running their individual practices with maximum efficiency and profitability.
The course is presented in 19 online lectures with course notes, slides and quizzes. This course is RACE approved for 19 CE hours. This course is not limited to veterinarians only and is open to practice managers as well.
Major Topics
In the course, students will cover the following topics:
- The Veterinary Marketplace and how to market your business
- Client relationships and effective communication
- Finance and cash management
- Human resources, operations, and technology
- Safety and legal issues
Course Objectives
Understand the changing marketplace for veterinary practice
Communicate more clearly with clients, colleagues and staff
Manage cash effectively to optimize your practice
Build an engaged team who are invested in your practice
Organize and structure your practice to operate efficiently and profitably
Business Management for an Integrative Veterinary Practice
Taught in English
For veterinarians & practice managers only
19 RACE approved CE hours
Curriculum
Business Management
Overview (Administration, Personnel, Public Relations, etc.)
1h
The Veterinary Marketplace and Your Unique Position
1h
Client Relationships - The Basics
1h
Integrating TCVM Into Your House Call
2h
Human Resources
1h
Marketing
1hr
Operations- The Basics
1hr
Using Social Media in Your Practice
1h
Marketing Your Integrative House Call Practice
1h
Administrative Management
1hr
Legal Issues for Veterinary Practices
1hr
Planning for the Future - How to Create What You Want
1h
How to Use Your Facility to Improve Your Practice
1h
Social Media for the Integrative Medicine Practitioner
2h
Starting a TCVM Mobile Practice
2h
Instructors
Don Thompson
DVM, CVA, CVCH, FAAVA
Dr. Thompson was raised on a Registered Holstein-Friesian dairy farm with his nine siblings on the Canadian border of Northern New York. He graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984 and practiced in Northern Vermont in large and small animal private practice until 2013, with an even distribution of small animal, equine, and food and fiber patients. Dr. Thompson now owns Elk Park Animal Hospital in Southwestern Colorado, an integrative large and small animal practice. He is certified in both Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine by both the Chi and the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture. Contributions to the veterinary profession include numerous lectures around the United States and in China, teaching assistant for both Chi and IVAS and has authored a chapter for the Chi's Practical TCVM textbook pending publication.
Greg Todd
DVM, CVA
Dr. Todd graduated from the University of Florida with a DVM in 1988. In 1993, Dr. Todd became an apprentice to Dr. Patrick Sullivan, AP, and began studying Traditional Chinese Medicine. In 1996, he became certified by IVAS. His studies continued at Chi. He has lectured and instructed nationally and internationally for IVAS, the North American Veterinary Conference, and Chi. Dr. Todd practices integrative veterinary medicine at the Animal Hospital of Dunedin in the Tampa Bay Area.
Johnny Slaughter
DVM, CVA, CVFT
Dr. Slaughter earned his DVM in 1970 from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University. He then went on to the Chi to earn his CVA and CVFT.
Currently, he runs Camden-Inner Harbor Veterinary Services, where he practices integrative medicine.
Ashley Geoghegan
DVM, CVA
Dr. Ashley Geoghegan, former veterinarian for President Bush’s service dogs, is a graduate of LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. Her training and passion for holistic and integrative medicine fueled her private practice, a clinic that offers acupuncture, food therapy, herbal therapy, essential oil therapy, and other holistic and integrative medicine healing methods. Under VetNaturally, Dr. G.’ has developed her own natural product line available at her clinic and soon at vetnaturally.com. Dr G. is also an animal advocate. She works tirelessly to help shelter pets and abused animals without their own voice. Dr. G. invites you to visit her VetNaturally page on Facebook, dedicated to cutting edge veterinary integrative medical information, heart-warming causes and creative tips on keeping your pet healthy and happy.
Donna Hein
DVM, CVA, FAAVA, CVCH, CVTP, CVFT, CVMMP, MSTCVM
Dr. Hein graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. After 9 years in private practice, she saw cases that Western medicine was not able to help and began studying acupuncture. In 2008, Dr. Hein became certified in acupuncture from IVAS and continued her advanced classes at Chi. She became certified in Tui-na (2011), Food Therapy (2012), and Chinese Herbals (2013). In 2014, Dr. Hein became a Fellow in Veterinary Acupuncture. Then in 2016 she became certified in Veterinary Medical Manipulative. Dr. Hein is currently finishing her thesis for the Master’s Program and also enjoys teaching the acupuncture lab at the Chi. Dr. Hein is a mobile TCVM practitioner in the Houston area and when not working enjoys time with her husband and two daughters.
Enrollment Options
Semester
2023
Schedule & Tuition
Business Management
Online
Open enrollment in 2023
$480.00
Payment Information
A $100.00 non-refundable course deposit is charged upon enrollment to reserve your seat.
Payment is due 30 days before the start date of each session or course.
Add-ons
Printed Binders
$50.00 / course
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will I get access to the online course?
You will get 4 months of access to this online course. The course can be accessed through our learning portal.