Laurie's Blogs.

So this blog is just story-telling about what's going on in my clinic these days.

It's been busy at the clinic… the physios are hopping for the most part.  We have a new PT on staff and her case load is slowly and surely increasing!  However she's off for all of August, we have one therapist coming back from holidays just this week, and I'm heading down to Oregon for the week.  So we need the underwater treadmill to pick up the slack.  Unfortunately, the underwater treadmill always slows down in the summer.  However the promotion we did in June to get more people in to try the UWT served us well.  We targeted sporting and show dogs, encouraging them to come in to try cross training (at 25% off, one coupon per dog, with an expiry at the end of the month).  Lots of those who tried it and came for a few sessions, have seen improved conditioning in their dogs (especially their rear ends… great rear ends abound!) and they have continued to come for conditioning!  All in all, it was a success, I'd say! 

So the plan was to run another promotion for July and August.  The promotion didn't get out of the gate at the beginning of July and by mid month, the treadmill took an unlucky turn!   Argh!  The darn thing is an 11 year old Ferno (first one in Canada)… and we have had to get fairly creative with repairs (as the company hasn't been able to help us in the past, and now that Ferno was taken over by Hudson Aquatic and newer models have been created, parts aren't readily available.  My husband, being a heavy duty mechanic has bailed us out many times, in getting things fixed, adjusted, fabricated, etc.  (And here in lies a story with a moral)  The latest mishap dealt with the back panel of the treadmill.  The screw-holes that kept that piece in place have been stripped and would no longer hold the screws in place, leaving the panel to float up and exposing the back roller and motor (not safe at all).  We had been rigging the thing in place (picture paint rollers stuffed in the space behind the panel, cords, foam, etc… not entirely professional or permanent!) while calling around to figure out what could be done.  It just seemed that we needed to find the right person to help direct us to the correct idea to fix the darn thing.

To the rescue?  One of my staff member's husband (note to the ladies… marrying 'handy' is a huge asset!).  So one of our rehab assistants is married to an engineer with a penchant for building things, and in particular repairing his own motorcycle.  So, who knew that you could buy something that can be drilled into the existing hole and the piece left in the hole has a screw hole within it that will receive the original screw… and hold it!  Well hot damn!  I think it'll work… we've been monkeying with that thing for about 3 weeks!  Monday will be the  true test… but at last report, the screw was securely in and holding the piece firmly!  

NOW we can get back to advertising for the UWT.  We'll do the same promotion… but target past clients as well as new sporting & show dogs.  Just saying… it might be worth a try in your facility too!

Morales…

Marry handy or get to know handy folks… expand your friendships to specifically include handy people.  Machinists.  Mechanics.  Millwrights.  Even farmers-ranchers.  People who are used to problem-solving and fixing stuff!

Target marketing works… create very specific & targeted marketing to drive people your way.  Generic wishy washy marketing about EVERYTHING you do  won't give you a message that will make people take action to visit you TODAY.

Okay… that's it!  Heading to Oregon today!  Hope to see many of you at the International Symposium!

Cheers!  Laurie