How to Start a Veterinary Acupuncture Business

Pet owners seek out a variety of veterinary services to ensure their four-legged companions are happy and healthy. Unfortunately, many do not respond to standard treatments such as medication and dietary changes. In those instances, veterinarians may refer their patients to a veterinary acupuncturist. Veterinary acupuncturists utilize small needles that are inserted into various pressure points around the animal’s body. These needles spark the release of natural chemicals that aid in bodily healing. Veterinary acupuncture has proven widely successful in treating conditions such as neurologic disorders, muscle injuries, hip dysplasia, gastrointestinal issues, and reproductive disorders.

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Start a veterinary acupuncture business by following these 10 steps:

1. Plan your Veterinary Acupuncture Business
2. Form your Veterinary Acupuncture Business into a Legal Entity
3. Register your Veterinary Acupuncture Business for Taxes
4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
5. Set up Accounting for your Veterinary Acupuncture Business
6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Veterinary Acupuncture Business
7. Get Veterinary Acupuncture Business Insurance
8. Define your Veterinary Acupuncture Business Brand
9. Create your Veterinary Acupuncture Business Website
10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your veterinary acupuncture business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

• What will you name your business?
• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?
• How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is very important. Read our detailed guide on how to name your business. We recommend checking if the business name you choose is available as a web domain and securing it early so no one else can take it.

What are the costs involved in opening a veterinary acupuncture business?

Startup costs for a veterinary acupuncturist vary depending on the types of animals treated and whether they choose to offer mobile or in-house treatments. The average budget for setting up a mobile business is $300,000, with some vets reporting costs as high as $750,000. This includes equipping a vehicle, operating licenses, business insurance, an initial pharmaceutical order, and administrative supplies. Starting a stationary clinic requires the lease of office space and retrofitting the clinic with all necessary equipment. Industry leaders report an initial investment of approximately $1 million.

What are the ongoing expenses for a veterinary acupuncture business?

Acupuncturists will need to include a number of items in their ongoing budget. Equipment must be kept clean and maintained through a preventative maintenance plan. Licenses and insurance should be maintained and continuing education should be a top priority. Therapists who perform additional therapies and modalities will need to keep a steady supply of materials. Needles should be properly disposed of after each treatment, utilizing a fresh set for each session. Mobile therapists face overhead costs such as vehicle and equipment maintenance, while therapists who treat patients in-house incur ongoing expenses such as lease payments and utilities.

Who is the target market?

Veterinary acupuncturists should clearly define their target market during the planning stages. Work settings and initial investments vary depending upon their specific interests. Some choose to operate out of a private practice while others work on farms, in laboratories, out of research facilities, or at zoos. Market needs should be thoroughly researched and taken into consideration prior to investment.

How does a veterinary acupuncture business make money?

Veterinary acupuncturists charge a fee for each treatment. Some offer mobile services, while others perform all treatments in-office. Many treat all breeds of animals, while others focus on specific breeds.

How much can you charge customers?

The pricing of acupuncture therapy varies depending upon the type of animal, the nature of the animal’s condition, and the scope of practice. Costs per treatment range from $60 to $300 per session.

How much profit can a veterinary acupuncture business make?

Profits vary depending upon the types of animals treated and overhead expenses. A recent study reports that the average annual earnings of a board-certified specialist are well over $150,000.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Veterinary acupuncturists looking to increase profits should consider offering additional products and services. Industry leaders have found success selling supplements, homeopathic medicines, prescription diet food, and general conventional medications. Additional alternative treatment options, such as massage or herbal therapy, could also prove beneficial.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your veterinary acupuncture business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your veterinary acupuncture business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our How to Start a Business guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best Business Formation Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
• Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a veterinary acupuncture business

Once the acupuncturist’s target market is defined, they can refine their practice’s marketing strategy. Therapists should employ a variety of marketing techniques, including advertising in online and printed publications, social media, and in-person visits to potentially interested parties. Advertising should be informative and tailored to their target market’s needs and specific pain points.

How to keep customers coming back

Pets and their owners should be treated with respect and remain informed throughout the process. Customer retention can also be achieved through referral programs and special discount packages.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

Since most states require acupuncturists to have a degree in veterinary medicine, this business venture is ideal for veterinarians who are seeking out alternative methods for treating the animal community.

What happens during a typical day at a veterinary acupuncture business?

For many, veterinary acupuncture is part of a larger treatment plan. Acupuncturists collaborate with the primary vet to ensure a well-rounded treatment plan is in place. They determine which anatomical points should be treated, as well as the duration of therapy. Many treatment plans require more frequent treatments during the initial stages, tapering off over time. Many veterinary acupuncturists will combine acupuncture with behavioral modification programs or a special diet to maximize results. They will follow their patients’ progress, communicating all results to the primary veterinarian and the pet owner. When not treating patients, veterinary acupuncturists research alternative therapies and perform administrative duties associated with the business.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful veterinary acupuncture business?

Most states require that an accredited veterinary acupuncturist hold both a veterinary degree and certification through the American Board of Animal Acupuncture (ABAA). Therapists must have extensive knowledge of animal behavior, anatomy, muscle physiology, and approved acupuncture techniques. Continuing education is typically done through the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA).

In addition to the appropriate schooling, it’s important that therapists understand animal behavior and treat each patient with the utmost respect. Communication with both the animals and their owner is a critical component for long-term success.

What is the growth potential for a veterinary acupuncture business?

Over the last decade, consumer spending on animal healthcare has increased significantly. This growth is expected to continue with a projected increase of over 19% from 2016 to 2026. As pet owners seek out alternative therapies for their four-legged companions, the need for veterinary acupuncturists is expected to grow steadily. Therapists have the option to maintain or expand their businesses based on their needs and interests.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

• Funding
• Events
• Guides
• Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a veterinary acupuncture business?

Aspiring veterinary acupuncturists are encouraged to seek counsel from a financial advisor before opening their practice. A thorough business plan should address all aspects of the business including practice goals and an analysis of financial data to help maximize their investment.

How and when to build a team

During your business’s infancy stage, you will likely be able to work alone or limit hiring to one technician. As your practice experiences growth, however, it may become difficult to fit all patients into your daily schedule. When looking to hire additional team members, it is critical that each candidate is fully vetted and that the parameters of the position are clearly expressed.