I have a 20-year background in marketing and advertising and Barb in the fields of fitness and management, And while we both have full-time jobs, we also desired to start our own businesses at some point in the future.

As cousins and best friends, we also share a common love of animals – especially dogs. Through unfortunate and eerily similar circumstances with our pets, we unexpectedly discovered a business opportunity that appealed to us both, and led to our decision to join forces and create VRMS.

Two years ago, my 12-year old border collie, Bailey, tore a tendon in his knee and needed surgery. The orthopedic surgeon recommended physical rehabilitation for Bailey, to help him recover. Unfortunately, the closest rehab facility was in Gray’s Lake, IL – 60 miles away.

I took Bailey to TOPS in Gray’s Lake twice a week for six weeks, and was amazed at how well he responded to underwater treadmill treatments, along with other exercises and treatments designed to improve his strength and stability. But I also lamented the fact that there was nothing closer to my home in Cudahy, or even in Wisconsin, for that matter.

Barb and I decided to combine our love of dogs with our business backgrounds, and create VRMS. We knew we had the business background, but with no experience in veterinary care, we knew we needed to find the right vet to partner with.

Through sheer luck, we found out that Dr. Nan Boss of Best Friends Veterinary Center in Grafton, WI, was interested in establishing a canine physical rehabilitation center in her clinic. After discussions with Dr. Boss, a partnership was developed. We would supply all of the rehab equipment, including an underwater treadmill, and Dr. Boss, who is one of only a few vets in Wisconsin to be certified in canine rehab through the University of Tennessee, would perform all of the rehab services. In addition, we provide all marketing services for the rehab facility.

In November of 2005, the treadmill was installed, and Dr. Boss has been seeing clients on a regular basis since that time.

In addition to our Grafton location, we have recently signed an agreement with another vet in the Muskego area, to open a second rehab facility. That facility is tentatively scheduled to open in March of this year.

Ironically, in the summer of 2005, Barb’s chocolate lab Henry herniated a disk in his back, and his back legs and tail were paralyzed. Thankfully, because of her new-found knowledge of canine rehab, Barb was able to start treadmill sessions with Henry shortly after his surgery, and through those sessions, along with an at-home exercise program and acupuncture, Henry is walking and running again, thanks to canine rehabilitation!