We are currently looking to expand our Theraplate Therapist team! Being an independent Theraplate Therapist is a dream job for many.
Whilst we can offer help and guidance with setting up your Theraplate Therapist business, it’s usually better coming straight from the horse’s mouth… We asked our Operations Manger, Independent Theraplate Therapist and Owner of Yorkshire Equine Rehab Ltd, Floss Smith what it’s like to be a self employed therapist.
What is a “normal” day in the life of a Theraplate therapist?
Weekdays are usually pretty routine now as I limit it to my regular clients as we are so busy at TheraPlate UK HQ (TPUK).
How many treatments a day do you do?
Anywhere between 5 and 10 as individual client visits so I try and group the areas together. Weekends however are usually yard visits and I can get 20-30 done at one site or sometimes two if in the same area. It really does depend on how busy I want to be, I’d be doing 30 horses a day if it was up to my clients!
How far do you travel?
I travel throughout Yorkshire but have gone to Dumfries, Pembrokeshire… Having my own business gives me the flexibility to judge where I want to go and if it will be worthwhile.
What car do you use to transport your Theraplate in?
I initially started with a VW Polo with the seats down and then moved onto a Skoda, also with seats down. These were easy to load the plates into as it had a low boot, but not practical for anything else. I now have a Mitsubishi L200 pickup which is great, but a bit more difficult to load into alone. I’ve worked out how to make it a bit easier for myself, previously I’ve used a wheely bin for a bit of extra height! I got 2x K21s and a K6 in my Skoda though!
Do you mainly treat horses, humans or animals or all of the above?
Mainly horses but the owners always want to jump on too! I do a lot of dogs, the odd sheep and a pig. I also rent out a K4 unit for humans.
How did you first hear about Theraplate? When did you first begin treating?
I first heard about Theraplate in October/November 2017… I was actually looking for a water treadmill for my rehab yard but the more I looked the more I went off the idea. I saw TheraPlate UK and trialled it at home and since then I’ve not looked back!
Did you begin working as a therapist on a part time or full-time basis?
I started on part time basis for mobile treatments as I had a static yard. Slowly the mobile side took over more and more, I was also selling Theraplates too. I now work closely with TheraPlate UK as their Operations Manager.
What’s your top tips to anyone thinking about becoming a therapist?
Don’t over complicate it!! You have to work hard at your own business and client base but there are so many horses, humans, dogs etc. around who can use the Theraplate, the work is plentiful. Being a business owner takes a lot of drive, never take your foot off the gas and expect to keep moving forward.
Do you have any top tips on how to be a successful Theraplate Therapist?
Understand your equipment, do the research!! Don’t worry what everyone else is doing, it should not be competitive. TheraPlate UK are about the horse first and foremost.
What is the best thing about being a Theraplate Therapist?
Being part of a community with the other TheraPlate UK Therapists but maintaining individuality with my own business.
And just for fun…
If you could have any job, what would you do?
A crane driver. I LOVE cranes.
If you would like a treatment with Floss, please contact Yorkshire Equine Rehab today.
To find out more about how you can become a TheraPlate UK Therapist, please contact us for further information.
Phone: 0800 955 2016
Website: www.theraplateuk.com
Email: hello@theraplateuk.com
