Have You Considered Starting A Pet Therapy Business

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Pet therapy is not a new concept. A lot of hospitals and therapists are using pets to reach out to their patients. 

How does it translate as a pet-therapy venture when you don’t work in the healthcare sector? There is more than one way to help people cope with everyday obstacles and challenges. As a result, you don’t need to be a trained therapist to start your own “feel good” business with pets. Here are some ideas to get you started with a pet side hustle. 

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A “walk my dog” business

The UK is a nation of dog lovers. However, not every household can afford to adopt a dog. For elderly people, for instance, adopting a pet can be too much of a hassle. Many feel uncertain on their legs in old age, and therefore worry that they couldn’t care for an animal. A simple walk-my-dog venture could help you reach out to lonely seniors and encourage them to go out for a walk. You can hold the dog on their behalf, but they would still benefit from the interaction with a friendly pup. Additionally, offering your dog’s services at a small fee can also help with the cost of owning a pet. You can schedule dedicated time with each of your neighbours/clients in the evening or during the weekend, making this the ideal venture when you’ve got a full-time job. 

A fluffy farming environment

Living in the countryside, or on the outskirts of large cities has its advantages. You can embrace the joys of a large backyard! When it comes to starting a pet therapy venture, countryside lifestyle allows you to work with different types of animals and even create your own farm environment. For instance, you may want to consider more unusual pets, such as buying an alpaca for sale. Alpacas have a gentle and soothing temperament, making them ideal companions for people who need emotional comfort. You could consider an open farm environment, where you can open facilities to welcome groups or manage small events. If you prefer to encourage people to join you for an afternoon of work at the farm, it can be easier to work with animals that are more common – this will avoid confusing or fear! Goats are not only highly intelligent, but they have been very effective with a variety of emotional needs and troubles. They are perfect for stressed-out individuals, small children, or even older adults. Besides, you can even encourage your visitors to make their own goat’s cheese! 

Visiting people and offices 

A lot of therapy animals tend to live in the countryside. However, it doesn’t mean you can’t find ways of making animal therapy more accessible in an urban environment. Did you know, for instance, that small pets, such as rabbits or cats, have a lot to offer in towns? The growing popularity of cats coffees shows that urban dwellers crave the attention of small pets too. Why not consider a venture that lets you visit businesses? Employees will cherish the opportunity to pet a bunny in the middle of a stressful day! 

Starting a pet therapy business, as a side hustle or a full-time venture can be hugely rewarding. There’s an instant feel-good sensation when you work with animals. But you can also support people who are going through stress, depression or just feeling lonely. At a time of uncertainty such as now, animal therapy is more important than ever! 

Sarah x