The Rundown:

Helpful Traits: Be calm and patient. Sometimes I treat puppies with growing pains: they can be wiggly with the attention span of a flea. I have to read animal body language so there is no room for my stress. Practice yoga.

Pros: It’s very rewarding and fulfilling to see improvement in function or at the very least maintain function. Many dogs have a temporary injury so you can see results over a few sessions. Plus, by being my own boss, I am in control of my time.

Cons: It does take a toll on your body with so much bending and leaning needed to treat animals on the floor, especially as you get older. When I started in my early 30s, being self-employed was stressful. Fortunately, I live in a very pet-friendly city – a lot depends on where you live. Courses are expensive and time-consuming, and you must understand anatomy.

Estimated Salary: $30K to 60K full time.